Jorge Torres walked to the subway station every morning to go to work. On his way, he would walk past a beautiful old building from the 1930s that had a doorman.
The crosswalk was about 100 meters from that building and that’s where he first saw Doris Diaz. Doris was trying to cross the street, but hesitated, and cars were speeding by.
Jorge approached and saw that the old woman looked anxious and that her eyes were filled with tears.
«Excuse me?» said Jorge softly. «Are you all right?»
The lady nodded.
«I’m fine,» she said. «It’s just that… I can’t cross. The cars… They’re so fast! I’m afraid I’ll get run over.»
«Well, how about if I help you?» asked Jorge. «You hold on to my arm and we cross together, okay?».
The woman wiped her eyes and smiled, and for a second Jorge could see what she looked like when she was young and agile.
«That would be very kind of you! Thank you.»
Jorge took the woman’s arm and they crossed the street together. When they reached the other side, the lady gave Jorge a kiss on the cheek.
«Thank you, young man!» she said. «What is your name?»
«I’m Jorge, Jorge Torres,» he said, smiling. «And you?»
«I’m Doris Diaz. It’s a pleasure to meet you,» the lady said. «It’s rare to meet a real gentleman these days. Your wife is a lucky woman.»
Jorge’s smile faded.
«My wife passed away a year ago,» he said softly. «It hasn’t been easy…».
«I’m so sorry!» said Doris. «Do you have children?»
«Yes,» said Jorge. «Three. Two girls and a boy. They are my joy. If it weren’t for them, my life wouldn’t be worth living.»
«I know how you feel,» Doris said. «I lost my Alberto five years ago. My children and grandchildren keep me going.»
«Well, Mrs. Diaz,» Jorge said, smiling. «It’s been a pleasure chatting with you, but I have to run or I’ll be late for work.»
And with a smile and a wave, Jorge walked toward the subway.
Two days later, at the same time, Jorge saw Doris waiting to cross.
«Hello, Mrs. Diaz!» he said smiling. «Would you like to cross with me?»
Doris smiled happily.
«Jorge!» she said. «You’re a sight for sore eyes, I’d love to! And please, call me Doris!».
«Listen, Doris,» Jorge said, taking her by the arm. «I’m here every morning at this time. If you wait for me, I’ll help you across.»
«Well,» Doris said. «It had been a long time since a young man had had a date with me, and so handsome!»
Every few days from then on, Jorge and Doris would cross the busy street arm in arm. Jorge ended up confiding in Doris and asking her for parenting advice for his teenage daughters.
«I had to sell the car and the house,» Jorge confessed. «Because of my wife’s medical bills. I can’t take my daughter to soccer practice, like the other fathers. It’s not easy to make them understand….».
«Give them time,» Doris said gently. «They’ll see how much you love them, and that you’ve always done your best.»
Jorge was comforted by Doris’ wisdom, and his conversations with her became the highlight of his day. Then, for more than a week, Jorge did not see Doris. He began to worry. Doris visited her friends at least three times a week. Had something happened to her?
The next morning, Jorge stopped to talk to the doorman at Doris’s building.
«Excuse me,» he said. «I’m a friend of Mrs. Diaz’s and I’m worried about her. I haven’t seen her in a while…».
«Oh,» exclaimed the doorman, looking very sad. «I’m afraid Mrs. Diaz has passed away. It was very sudden.»
Jorge was devastated.
«But…,» he said. «Last week it was fine!».
The doorman sighed.
«It was a big shock for everyone, especially for the family. By the way, what’s your name?»
«Jorge Torres,» said Jorge. Why do you ask?».
«Oh,» said the doorman. «Mrs. Diaz’s lawyer asked me if I knew a Jorge Torres and how to contact him. Apparently, Mrs. Diaz left him a gift.»
«To me?» gasped Jorge, astonished. «But why?»
When Doris’ lawyer contacted him a few weeks later, Jorge understood. Doris had left him her late husband’s mint condition Lincoln.
«Mrs. Diaz said you would understand,» the lawyer said, as he handed Jorge the car keys and papers.
Jorge tearfully agreed.
«I understand,» he said. «Mrs. Diaz was a wonderful, kind soul!»
