Windfall

Windfall
By: Candy Beardsley




I was in a very good mood that warm Monday morning. The sun was shining, the kids were in school and I was out paying bills. Though paying them normally made me grouchy, too much going out and not enough coming in, this morning I broke even. All the bills were paid in full. But that wasn’t the reason for my good mood. I had stopped at my favorite gas station, grabbed my usual large coffee with hazelnut creamer and walked to the counter to pay for it.

The girl behind the counter knew me, I was a regular. I handed her my $1.50, then on a whim, I told her to give me a $1 scratch off lottery ticket. I don’t normally play them, I have never won more than $2 but I just had a feeling today was my day. I paid for the ticket then went to my car to scratch it. I scratched it, little flecks of the gray covering flying all over my dash. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw 3 little bells. Quickly I scanned the bottom of the ticket to see what I won. I yelled”Whoooo hoo” when I realized I had just won $100.

I ran back into the gas station to claim my prize, my mind racing with ideas of what to do with my windfall. I decided to get my hair cut and colored and my nails done.

“Must have been your lucky day” the cashier quipped as she handed me my money.

“Must be someone upstairs likes me.” I joked as I put my winnings in my wallet.


Turning my car radio up, I drove to the pharmacy to pick up my son’s prescriptions. I wanted to make sure all my errands were done before I went to the salon and pampered myself.

I saw there was a small line at the pharmacy as I walked to the back of the store. I patiently waited in line, just thinking of how good it’s going to feel to have a new hair style and my nails all done a polished. There was an elderly woman in front of me, as we waited, she turned to me:
“Always seems you spend half of your life standing in line.” A sparkle in her eye.

I smiled at her, “So it seems.”

I looked at her lined face, thinking what a life she must have lived so far. Her brown eyes were nearly hidden under heavily drooping eyelids but I could see a sparkle in them.
I saw in those tired eyes and the weathered face a fountain of wisdom. I knew she had seen a lot in her long life.

“I believe in my 89 years, I have stood in line for at least three quarters of it. Shoot I even waited in line to be born, I’m the seventh of thirteen children.” She quipped, with a little chuckle,” I’ve had eight children of my own. Only four are alive now. I lost two sons in Vietnam, one to a car accident and just three years ago, I lost my oldest daughter to a heart attack. Not right for a parent to out live their children, but God’s will is unknown to the likes of me.”
I nodded my agreement, my brain still pre-occupied by the thought of getting my hair done.
Finally, the woman moved up to the counter.
“Good morning Miss Etta, here to pick up your prescription?” the pharmacist asked.

Miss Etta smiled, “I reckon so young lady. How much is it?”

The pharmacist scanned the bar code,” It’s $97.85.”
Miss Etta’s eyes grew wide, “I can’t afford that! I reckon I can go without it this month.”
I stood for a moment. I thought of the money I had won and of my grandmother, how he always told me to be kind to those in need, because you never know when you maybe one of them. I knew instantly what I had to do.
I walked up to the counter, opened my wallet and pulled out the $100 bill. I placed my hand on Miss Etta’s shoulder as I said to the pharmacist,” I’ll pay for Miss Etta’s medicine.”
Miss Etta just stared at me, tears welling up in her eyes,” I don’t know what to say. I have never known anyone in all my years to be as kind. I thank you so much.”
I took her brown, weathered hand in mine and said,” Thank you is all I need.”
I got my change back from the pharmacist, and turning to leave, I felt Miss Etta’s hand on my arm. I turned to face her. She hugged me hard enough to squeeze the breath out of me, tears flowing down her deeply wrinkled cheek.
“God bless you child.” She croaked.

As I returned to my car, I realized there was the reason I had won that money that day. God meant for me to win so I can live by the lesson I was taught.
I never had my hair done nor my nails, but what I did get that day was a gift no amount of money could buy. That day I got the unbelievable feeling of happiness that can only come from helping a fellow human being.