There’s Still Good People In the World
Yesterday evening, after Mary, John and I finished another round of painting at the apartments, John and I went out for a drive. He got the courage to drive on the Expressway, so I got my cup o’ noodles and my lemonade raspa and we left. He drove around the neighborhood first, then went down the back road and was going to come down the main road in Peñitas, then down the Expressway back home.
The car died on us in Peñitas.
Right when we reached the expressway and John saw that it was clear to pass to the crossover, the gas pedal stopped working and then smoke blew out from under the hood. It was overheating big time. I was so scared that if he did try to get the car to “go”, we’d get stuck in the damn traffic and get hit. We turned on the emergency lights, turned off the car and just waited there for a bit. He turned it back on and slammed the gas and we made it across to the crossover. Put the emergency lights on again and we looked around to see if anyone could help us. A man in a green car came up behind us and I was about to wave him to go around us and he parks next to us and asks, “Did the car stop?” I said, “Yes. It’s overheating. Smoke was coming out and everything.” He said he’d help us move the car over to the left shoulder so we wouldn’t be in the way. I got into the driver’s seat and John helped him push. He ran back to his car and I yelled, “Thank you SO much!”
So we sat there and waited. Thankfully, I had the cellphone. I usually forget it. I tried calling to Mary’s, but no one ever answered. So I called Mario at work and of course he starts lecturing me on “Why did you take that car if you know it’s not working right? Why didn’t you take my Mom’s car.” I tell him, “Well, that’s not gonna help me now, is it? I’m calling because I need your help. Bring water please.” He says okay and that he’d be there ASAP.
We tried making light of the situation and kept making jokes. We’d scream out, “Helpo! Helpo!”, whenever we’d see a cop car or constable, which is John’s idea of Spanish LOL. There was one cop car parked at the gas station that was across from where we were stranded. Eventually, he drove over and parked behind us. And then I panicked because I left my permit at home! He gets out of the car and asks if we’re okay. He was funny. I expected any cop to be mean and straight-faced, but this cop wasn’t. He kept cracking jokes and kept assuring us we’d be okay. I told him we were waiting for my husband, so he said he’d wait with us and helped us move the car a little farther away from the shoulder.
Just a few seconds later, a family parks on the opposite shoulder and asks if we need help. The cop says, “It’s overheating. She’s waiting for her husband to bring water.”
The guy yells, “I have water!” So we nod for him to cross over. He explains a few things, adds water to the radiator and we notice the radiator fan’s not moving. After messing with the A/C and then the heater, it started. The car cooled down right away. The guy said he was from our city, and that he’d follow us home just in case. I told him we’d wait for Mario since I couldn’t get a hold of him and he was on his way. I thanked him profusely and he and his family waited in their van for us. The cop guided us while I drove to the right shoulder, since he said it’s safer. Mario gets there, he puts the radiator cap back on and I get in the Sentra while he drives the Honda to Sonia’s. The guy in the van saw that we were okay, so he and his wife waved to us and off we all went.
I didn’t think we’d get that kind of help. I expected to be there, waiting, until Mario got there. John kept saying, “There ARE nice people. I never expected them to be HERE!” God Bless them. I’d of had a panic attack had they not helped us!
on Tuesday, July 12th, Ami said:
Cute beach layout! XD hehe.. you’re pretty lucky to had some nice people around that time 🙂 (unlike some people who would just stare at us *cough* a week or two ago ..lol)
on Tuesday, July 12th, Jolene said:
I always stop when I see someone who needs help, make Roberto or whoever I am with help push their car, we’ve given people rides, ect, I’m glad someone stopped to help you.
on Tuesday, July 12th, kitty said:
🙂 wow! at least someone helped you guys, if I was in your situation I’d panic!! then I’ll call my hubby! ha haa! anyway, of course there are lots of nice poeple out there, it was right timing I guess, lol! have a nice day!!!
on Sunday, July 10th, Tamz said:
lol what a day you had. I’d freak out completely if that happened to me. Luckily you got some nice cops and people where you live
on Sunday, July 10th, tara said:
I’m so glad you weren’t alone with the kiddos when that happend! I’m also glad there were nice people that offered to help! 🙂
on Sunday, July 10th, Renay said:
Isn’t it nice when you find nice people where you didn’t expect?
on Sunday, July 10th, Diana said:
What a nice story, it is a bit shocking when you realize that there ARE nice people out there. I’ve noticed that too with car-related things, even if people drive like maniacs here, thank God the only two or three times I’ve had real problems with a car I’ve found people that were so nice. Even when I got a flat tire, a guy on a car lets me know, pointing down and he stops along with me to the side and changes it. The sweetest guy! And it was morning rush hour, but everything worked out so perfectly. When I had the car crash I got so many people, that came out of nowhere! helping me, lending me their cellphones, even watching my stuff in the back (I didn’t worry about that then!). It gives you a nice feeling inside knowing ppl are still like that 🙂