Roadside Redemption

The Caddy ahead of Jim hit a pothole and rolled over. The driver was an elderly customer who always told him he made the best Reuben ever.

After dialing 911, he grabbed a glass-shattering device from his trunk. He saw flames shooting from the car, broke her window, unlocked the door and freed the seat belt. At one point, while he carried her to safety, she grinned, whispering, “Reuben,” before losing consciousness.

It struck Jim he didn’t care his son hadn’t hit a home run last week or his wife seemed cranky lately. The air they breathed was sweet.

Calder Lowe,
Modesto Branch, CA