Arturo’s grandfather: that was Frank. That’s how everyone knew him in his neighborhood; practically no one called him by his name. But now he was about to lose him.
It all started after his only son and daughter-in-law had a fatal accident a few months earlier. The news was devastating for Frank, but the prospect of losing custody of his grandson due to his inability to provide for him was the worst.
Things changed when he realised he had two choices: sit and cry or fight for custody of his grandson. Frank chose the latter, even though he knew it wouldn’t be easy.
He worked as a meat-packing truck driver, but the pay wasn’t enough to support his grandson. Nevertheless, he applied for custody of Arturo and did his best to save him from going to a shelter.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you, sir. You do not meet the state’s requirements to financially support your grandson,” said Judge Hurtado, who heard the case.
Frank couldn’t get those words out of his head. His life would be meaningless if Arturo wasn’t with him, so he started picking up extra shifts at the company. He needed the money to prove he could look after the boy.
One morning, Frank was driving his van through a new neighbourhood when he saw a woman in the middle of the road. He pulled over to the side of the road, ran up to her and discovered that she was in labour.
“Oh my God, we have to go to hospital! Just a minute, ma’am!”
Frank rushed to his truck and dialled the emergency number on his mobile phone.
“A woman is in labour in the middle of the road. She needs help now!” he shouted. “It’s urgent.”
“Ma’am,” he said, turning to the woman. “Help is on the way, hold on.”
But the woman was in a terrible state; Frank could see that. If she didn’t get to hospital in time, her child would be in danger. At that moment, he remembered his grandson and how much he meant to him, and decided to take the woman to the hospital himself.
“Ma’am,” he said softly. “I’m afraid we can’t wait. If you’ll allow me, I can take you to the hospital.”
The woman, groaning in pain, nodded.
“I would be most grateful, sir,” she said breathlessly.
“OK, I’ll try to lift you up so we can walk to the truck together,” Frank said.
But the seat was too high and the woman could not get on. Overwhelmed with emotion, the man prayed fervently.
Minutes later, the ambulance siren sounded and Frank ran towards the road waving his arms. Two paramedics got out and took the woman to hospital.
He decided to get into his truck and drive with her. He texted his boss to say he had an emergency and asked a colleague to take over his deliveries.
At the hospital, he hoped the woman and her baby were safe. He remembered when his daughter-in-law had gone into labour. Everyone was worried until they heard little Arturo crying.
“Lord,” he prayed in tears. “Help the woman and her child! Please stand by her side. May everything turn out well.”
Fortunately, Frank’s prayers were answered. The woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Thanks to his quick actions, they arrived at the hospital in time to prevent a tragic outcome.
When she was moved to a room, Frank visited her. She was crying and thanked him for what he had done to help her.
“Thank you, sir!” the woman told him. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help. Thank you for paying for the ambulance too. Please, I need your details to reimburse you.”
“Okay, but please don’t worry about it right now,” Frank said politely. “I have a grandson. He’s only six years old. He’s my world, and I did everything with him in mind.”
“I’m Frank, by the way. And I’m happy to have helped this sweet little angel come into the world,” he said, looking sweetly at the sleeping baby.
The woman smiled.
“I’m Alicia. My husband wants the baby girl to be named Rosalba. He works abroad, so we don’t see each other often. I was walking to my sister’s house, a couple of blocks away, when the labor started. A nurse has already told him and he should be here soon”.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Frank stated. “Sometimes family is all you need – it’s the most valuable treasure!” he added on the verge of tears.
“Frank,” she said softly. “Are you okay?”
Frank shook his head.
“No… I lost my family a few months ago, and now it’s just me and my grandson and I don’t know what to do. I could lose custody of him because I don’t have any way to support him. It’s all been so hard!”
“That’s horrible. Frank, is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t think so, but thank you. I’m sorry I bothered you with my problems. I should probably get going. I have to get home on time.”
He left the room and Alice felt terrible for him.
“You’ll never forget my reward! I promise you, Frank,” she said to herself. “I’ll return the favor!”.
Frank had no idea what Alicia was about to do and how it would change his life. The next day, he was about to leave for work when a message arrived on his phone. He put on his reading glasses, and was totally shocked.
“This is unbelievable! Where did all this money come from?” he wondered.
Frank’s account had been credited with so much money that he wouldn’t have to worry about the rest of his life, or Arthur’s education.
“It has to be a mistake,” he thought.
He rushed to the bank to inquire about the mysterious deposit.
“That transfer has been made to your account, sir. There is no mistake!” the bank employee assured him.
“But who made this transfer?”, he wanted to know.
That’s when his phone rang with another message. This time, it was from Alicia.
The message read:
“Thank you for leaving your details with the receptionist. Kindness is what helps us survive in this crazy world, Frank. No money could ever make up for what you did for me, but I hope it will allow you to get custody of your grandson. You saved my daughter and me and I will always be grateful to you.
Love, Alicia.”
Frank wept at Alicia’s incredible generosity. She had just given him a reason to be happy again. Thanks to her, he could regain custody of his grandson.
Today he still drives the truck, but now he does it for the pleasure of working and staying active; he knows that no one will separate him from his grandson. And all he can ask for is a long life to see him grow up and become a good man.
