Mary realized she had forgotten her wallet while trying to pay for some groceries, but a kind boy, Mark, paid for her things. Sometime later, Mary and her daughter learned that Mark’s grandmother needed expensive surgery, so they decided to act, shocking the poor kid.
“Oh, geez. I must have forgotten my wallet in John’s car. I’m so sorry. I’ll have to come back for these things later,” Mary said to the cashier, who started picking up the items and putting them back. Meanwhile, Mary closed her purse, prepared to walk away when the boy behind her in line spoke up.
“Wait, ma’am. You don’t have many things anyway. I’ll pay for them,” he said. He couldn’t be older than 12, and Mary noticed that he didn’t look particularly well-off.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Oh, no. I couldn’t put you out like that,” Mary countered.
“I insist, ma’am. Sometimes, we have to do good things, and karma will reward us later, right? That’s what my grandmother says all the time,” the boy said, placing his few things on the belt and paying for everything that Mary had picked out. Luckily, it was only a few essentials.
Mary’s daughter, Anastacia, was sick with the flu. She needed someone to watch the kids because her husband was in Europe on a business trip, so Mary decided to go to Santa Ana from San Diego, California. But her friend, John, had driven her up, and it seems she left her wallet in his car.
Once they got their groceries ready, Mary and the kid went outside. “Hey, I’m Mary Cummings. What’s your name?” she said conversationally.
“I’m Mark.”
“Thank you so much for what you did, Mark. It saved me a trip to the store. Listen, how about you give me your phone number so I can pay you back as soon as I get my wallet,” Mary suggested, and the kid wrote down his number on the receipt.
“Here, but don’t worry about it. There’s no rush. I live nearby anyway,” Mark said offhandedly.
“Although I also believe in paying it forward like you and your grandma, we have to pay off our debts,” Mary added, and they said goodbye.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
She got home and told Anastacia about leaving her wallet in John’s car and the kid at the store who paid for her things. Mary only went there to buy a few things for chicken noodle soup, so it wasn’t anything important. “Still, it was nice to see a young man being so kind,” Mary finished her story while storing things and getting ready to make the soup.
“I agree. Although kids today are all so progressive, some of them can be pretty self-centered,” Anastacia.
“I don’t think this kid comes from a rich family, though. Maybe that’s why he’s so nice. But anyway, I’m worried that he might need that money urgently,” the older woman continued. Luckily, she called John, who agreed to come up to Santa Ana the following day and return her wallet.
***
Mary and Anastacia rang the bell at the address Mark had given them. Earlier, John came up, gave Mary her wallet, and Mary called the kid to return the money. He told her where he lived, and now they were right in front of his home.
The house was small and old. But it looked clean, and the garden was maintained. It was clear that these people didn’t have a lot of money, but they took pride in keeping it pretty. Mark answered the door.
“Hello, Mrs. Cummings,” Mark said upon opening the front door.
“Hey, Mark! This is my daughter, Anastacia. Here’s your money. Again, thank you so much for everything,” Mary told him with a kind smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Thank you. You didn’t have to hurry,” the boy replied and looked behind him for a second. “Listen, I would invite you in, but I’m not supposed to have anyone over. My grandma would be mad.”
“Oh, where is she? Maybe, we can come later to meet her. Does she like pecan pie? Because we’re going to the bakery right now,” Anastacia added happily.
“Well, she’s actually at the hospital and won’t get out for a while,” Mark explained with a frown. Mary and Anastacia wanted to know more, so he continued. “She needs a huge surgery, and I started a GoFundMe, but I’ve been trying to promote it. It’s not that popular. For now, the hospital has understood, and they are keeping her in observation while I raise the money.”
“Oh, sweetie. You shouldn’t have to do that on your own,” Anastacia said, concerned.
“We don’t have anyone else. It’s only us,” Mark shrugged. Mary and Anastacia looked at each other and came to a wordless decision.
“Give me the link to the GoFundMe, and your grandmother’s name. Also, come with us to the bakery. We’ll go visit her and see if the doctor lets her eat some pie,” Mary offered, although it was more of a demand.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to.”
“We have to,” Anastacia insisted, and Mark went with them.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
After buying some pies, they went to the hospital to meet Mark’s grandmother, Mrs. Julie Strada. They talked to her for a while, and Mark decided to stay with her that night, so Mary and Anastacia left.
When they got home, Anastacia shared the GoFundMe link with anyone she could think of, and she also donated a few hundred dollars. But Mary felt so hopeless. “They need so much money for this surgery. I don’t know if sharing the link is enough,” she breathed sadly.
“Let’s think,” Anastacia said, looking at her computer. “How about we share the story of the boy? I mean how he helped you, although they need the money so much. I mean, he couldn’t know you were going to pay it back. Maybe it could go viral? Let’s try Reddit.”
“That’s a one-in-a-million thing, Anastacia,” Mary replied skeptically.
“We’ll see,” the younger woman said with a smile and started writing everything that happened on Reddit. She posted it on several subreddits and her Twitter.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
At first, there were only a few commenters, but thousands of people had read the story and donated to the cause after a few days. They still needed a lot more donations to reach the goal of $230,000, which was the cost of Mrs. Strada’s entire treatment.
But surprisingly, a famous new outlet picked up the story, shared it, and even interviewed Mary and Mark for their article. The GoFundMe project reached way beyond their goal, and they were ecstatic. Mark couldn’t believe it. He had only paid around $20 for what Mrs. Cummings needed at the store, and she somehow found a way to pay it back and more.
What can we learn from this story?
- Helping others can change your life. Mark helped an older woman at the store, not knowing how hard she would work to pay him back for his gesture.
- There are still good people around the world. Tons of viral stories have gotten people enough donations to pay for their family members and even their pets’ treatments, which proves how good people can be.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who had to put his baby up for adoption when he was a teenager.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
I Fell Asleep on My Husband in the Plane but Shockingly Woke up on Another Man’s Shoulder
My husband and I had just boarded a flight to Miami when I fell asleep on his shoulder. Later, I woke and found my husband gone and a mysterious man in his spot! He hushed me before I could scream, and urgently whispered, “Your husband is not who he seems to be…”
When Jerry took on that new project six months ago, I knew it would be demanding. I just didn’t realize it would consume him entirely, leaving me feeling like an unwanted piece of luggage in our marriage.
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
Late nights, weekends away—our relationship was becoming a ghost town. Conversations were strained, his eyes always glazed over with disinterest whenever I tried to talk about us. It felt like I was screaming into a void.
So, when Jerry suggested postponing our week-long vacation to Miami, I stood my ground.
“Everything’s already booked,” I told him firmly. “We can’t cancel.”
“We have to,” he snapped. “My project has reached a crucial phase. Or have you forgotten that some of us don’t have the luxury of living off investments?”
A couple having a heated conversation | Source: Midjourney
“Jerry, you know darn well that I don’t ‘live off my investments,’ like some trust fund baby,” I retorted, rolling my eyes. “I also work and have career aspirations and job responsibilities.”
He always brought up money when he wasn’t getting his way and I was not going to cave to his tactics this time!
“Besides, your leave has already been approved and, like I said, we can’t cancel.”
Jerry let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Not like you’d miss the deposit if we did, but you’re the boss, right?”
A couple bickering | Source: Midjourney
See why we needed this vacation so badly? Jerry and I couldn’t carry on like this anymore. We were living past each other, and it would ruin our marriage if we didn’t do something about it immediately.
I started packing immediately. That Friday, we loaded our baggage in the car and headed to the airport. I was thrilled, and even Jerry started smiling as we headed into the building.
I took this as a good sign, but I soon found out it was anything but!
Airport | Source: Pexels
On the plane, I let my exhaustion take over. Jerry’s shoulder seemed like a sanctuary, a fleeting moment of closeness I desperately clung to. I woke some time later, as the pilot announced we were approaching our destination.
“I slept the whole flight?” I muttered. “Baby, you should’ve…”
But my words died in my throat when I looked up and realized the man beside me was not Jerry. Panic surged through me.
A woman resting her head on a man’s shoulder | Source: Midjourney
I straightened and was about to scream when he said something that turned my world upside down.
“Your husband is not who he seems to be. He’s lying to you.”
“What?” My heart pounded, confusion swirling in my mind. “Stop being mysterious. Who are you and what the hell is going on?!”
A woman on an airplane | Source: Midjourney
“We don’t have much time. I saw you and your husband at the airport, and I thought you needed to know. When he returns to you in a few minutes, behave as usual.”
I stared at him, trying to process his words. “What do you mean?”
“I’m Michael. I met a girl named Sophie at the airport. I liked her, and flirted with her, but then I overheard her phone conversation with another man. They talked about him ditching his wife to spend time with her.”
A man and woman speaking on a plane | Source: Midjourney
“What’s that got to do with me?” I asked. “You can’t mean to suggest—”
“I saw you fall asleep on your husband’s shoulder soon after takeoff. Fifteen minutes later, I saw him get up and go to meet Sophie.” He gestured to the narrow arch at the end of the aisle. “They were flirting and acting like they’ve known each other for years. Your husband is the guy she spoke to on the phone.”
My world shattered.
A woman on a plane | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t believe it. Jerry, my Jerry, was cheating on me? I struggled to reconcile Michael’s words with the image of my husband. Could it be true?
“You can’t know that for sure,” I said.
Michael smiled kindly at me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I could be wrong… but I don’t think I am. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
He slipped out of Jerry’s seat and headed to an empty seat near the back of the cabin.
Interior of a plane | Source: Pexels
I was in so much shock that I jumped when Jerry dropped into the seat Michael had vacated.
“You’re awake,” he declared with a big grin. “Ready for our holiday?”
All I could do was stare at him. He frowned slightly, but then the speakers crackled again with the usual instructions about passengers returning to their seats and fastening their seatbelts.
I decided then that I needed to see for myself if Michael was right. I resolved to act normally, to observe Jerry, and confirm the truth.
A thoughtful woman on a plane | Source: Midjourney
Upon arriving in Miami, Jerry seemed his usual charming self, engaging in light-hearted conversations and romantic gestures.
For a moment, I doubted Michael’s story. But then, Jerry got a phone call. He stepped out onto the balcony to take it, but soon returned with a grim look on his face.
“Sorry, honey, but I have to fly home immediately. There’s an emergency with the project. But I’ll be back by Wednesday, I swear.”
An earnest man | Source: Midjourney
My heart sank, but I masked my hurt and suspicion, pretending to understand and support him.
“Of course, I understand. Work is important,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Thanks, Jess. I knew you’d get it,” Jerry replied, kissing my forehead.
He grabbed his suitcase, which he hadn’t even started unpacking, and headed for the door. As soon as Jerry left the room, I hurried to follow him.
A determined woman | Source: Midjourney
I needed to know the truth, even if it meant breaking my own heart. I kept a safe distance as I followed Jerry downstairs. He jumped into a cab parked near the entrance. I immediately jumped into a cab as well and asked the driver to follow Jerry.
It soon became clear that Jerry was not headed to the airport. My heart sank as his cab eventually pulled up outside a luxury hotel.
And then my worst fears were confirmed.
Exterior of a hotel | Source: Pexels
A gorgeous redhead woman in a bikini and sarong ran up to Jerry and threw herself into his arms. He twirled her around, both of them laughing, and then he kissed her.
I felt a mix of anger, heartbreak, and betrayal, but I remained composed. This was it—the moment of truth. I wasn’t going to let Jerry continue deceiving me.
I paid the driver then made my way into the hotel, my mind racing with a plan.
Hotel lobby | Source: Pexels
I headed out to the bar by the pool and waited. Soon, Jerry and Sophie appeared. They sat on loungers near the pool, laughing and acting like a carefree couple.
The sight of them together made my stomach churn, but I kept my cool and ordered a cocktail. The moment Jerry walked off and jumped into the pool, I headed toward Sophie with my drink.
I paused near her chair and gazed down at her, lying in the sun with her eyes shut, skin gleaming with tanning oil. She wouldn’t even see this coming.
A hotel pool | Source: Pexels
With a flick of my wrist, I threw my entire drink over Sophie, ice blocks and all. She squealed like a piglet as the cold liquid splashed over her.
“Whoopsy,” I said, struggling to keep a straight face.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she snapped, leaping to her feet. “Learn to look where you’re going, moron!”
I was taken aback by the venom in her voice, but before I could reply, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
A woman looking over her shoulder | Source: Pexels
“Sophie, darling, what’s wrong?” Jerry shoved past me and rushed to Sophie’s side.
“So you are having an affair,” I said.
Jerry’s head snapped up when I spoke. His gaze fixed on me and I watched the blood drain from his face.
“Oh my God, Jessica? What are you doing here?”
“Catching you red-handed, you lying cheater!”
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“This is your wife?” Sophie said, looking me up and down. “That’s great. Now, we can finally be together, Jerry.” She turned to him, starry-eyed. “You can dump her, and we can start our new life together, just like you promised.”
I looked at Sophie, feeling a surge of triumph. “You think you’ll be living the high life with Jerry? Good luck with that. Everything is in my name. You’ll have to live on his charm alone.”
Sophie’s face fell, and she rounded on Jerry
An emotional woman | Source: Midjourney
“You told me everything was yours! You said we’d be set!”
Jerry tried to ignore her, his eyes pleading with me. “Jessica, please, let’s talk about this.”
I shook my head, my voice steady. “There’s nothing left to talk about, Jerry. It’s over.”
I turned and walked away, my heart heavy but resolute.
A determined woman | Source: Unsplash
Back home, I started divorce proceedings immediately. I also contacted Michael to thank him for his honesty and support.
We met for dinner a few days later, and I found comfort in his presence.
“Thank you for everything,” I said, looking into his eyes. “I’d still be living a lie if you hadn’t approached me on the plane.”
Michael smiled, reaching across the table to take my hand. “I’m just glad I could help.”
A man having dinner with a woman | Source: Midjourney
As we finished dinner, I felt a connection beginning to form. It wasn’t the fairytale ending I had once dreamed of, but it was real and honest.
The trip to Miami wasn’t the romantic rekindling I’d hoped for, but it was the start of a journey to self-discovery and resilience.
I walked away from a toxic marriage, stood up for myself, and found the strength to start anew. And in the process, I discovered that sometimes, the best beginnings come from the most unexpected endings.
A confident woman | Source: Pexels
Here’s another story: In a shocking twist of fate, an ER doctor’s night shift takes a dark turn when a desperate husband confesses a horrifying secret about his wife. The revelation shatters a seemingly perfect family, leaving the community grappling with the devastating consequences of his actions.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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