A woman walked for miles in the middle of a thunderstorm to save her husband, but when she arrived at the service station, the manager refused to help her.
It was a dark and stormy night… Tara Wilson stared out of the service station’s wide window at the pouring rain and sighed. Just then, a streak of lightning flashed across the sky and the sound of thunder split the night.
Night duty at a gas station wasn’t exactly the exciting job Tara had been dreaming of when she went to journalism school, but unfortunately, she’d had to leave college to support her ailing mother. What Tara didn’t know was that the dreary night was about to become a lot more exciting.
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Even as Tara thought about her life, a frail figure was stumbling towards her in the dark, almost bent double against the force of the wind and the driving train. Tara was almost asleep when a gasping voice interrupted her reverie. “Please, oh please…”
Tara, who was seated behind the service station’s counter, jumped to her feet. In front of her, dripping equal portions of rain and mud was an older woman. Her clothes were plastered with oil, dirt, and mud, and dark streaks of makeup ran down her face.
“Ma’am?” Tara gasped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in!”
The woman took another stumbling step forward and held on to the counter with desperate hands. “Please,” she gasped again, “I need your help…”
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“Oh I’ll just bet you do!” a harsh masculine voice interrupted. It was Tara’s boss, Mr. Anderson, the service station’s night manager who must have heard the woman enter from the back office where he spent his nights online on dubious sites.
Never deny a person in need of help.
“I’ve had enough of you derelicts walking in cadging hot food and coffee every time it rains.” Mr. Anderson snarled. “Get out!”
“Please,” the woman said in a calmer voice, and Tara noticed she had a sweet voice and an educated accent. “I need help, my phone is smashed…”
“Help?” sneered Mr. Anderson. “Did you drive here? Do you need gas? Or motor oil? Do you have money or a credit card?”
“No,” the woman said. “You don’t understand…”
“I understand you just fine.” the manager snarled. “Get out! No car and no money, you get nothing!”
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The woman pressed her shaking hands together. “My husband and I had a car accident, he’s lying unconscious on the road…All I ask is that you make a phone call!”
Tara made up her mind and stepped forward. “Ma’am, I’ll call 911 for you,” she said. She picked up the receiver of the service station’s landline and dialed. She frowned and picked up her cell phone then shook her head.
“I’m sorry,” she told the woman. “But the storm probably took down the phone lines and the cell tower. Where did you crash?”
The woman’s lips were trembling. “My poor John, oh my poor John…”
Tara came around the counter and put her arm around the woman’s sopping-wet shoulders. “Come on, Ma’am, I’ll drive you to him. We’ll take him to the hospital.”
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The manager was enraged. “You most certainly will not!” he screamed. “You walk out that door and you’re fired!”
Tara looked at Mr. Anderson and said quietly. “Go ahead, fire me. But I won’t leave a man dying by the roadside.”
“Thank you, my dear,” cried the woman. “My husband is an influential man, you won’t regret this.”
“No matter who your husband is, I won’t regret it, Ma’am,” said Tara as she settled the woman into her car and buckled her seat belt. “My mother always taught us to help whenever we could, no matter who it is.”
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With the woman’s guidance, Tara found the scene of the accident. The car was completely destroyed, and by the side of the road and covered with a blanket was an older man.
“John,” the woman cried kneeling by his side, “I’m here, darling, I found help!” The man opened his eyes and tried to speak, but he was obviously too weak. Tara and the woman managed to get him into her car’s backseat, and they drove to the hospital through the pouring rain.
As soon as the hospital’s staff had the man in hand, Tara asked them to take a look at the woman too, who was shivering from shock and exhaustion, then she allowed herself to sink into one of the waiting room chairs.
A while later, a tall young doctor came over and asked if she had been the one who’d brought the older couple over. “Yes,” Tara said. “Are they alright?”
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“Thanks to you!” said the doctor with a smile. “Mrs. Smythe told me what you did. Her husband had internal bleeding, and another half an hour would have been too late. We’re also treating Mrs. Smythe for shock and hypothermia.”
“Mrs. Smythe, that’s the lady’s name?” asked Tara. “And they are going to be alright?”
“Yes, you saved their lives,” said the doctor, casting Tara an admiring look. “You’re a hero!”
“No,” said Tara. “Mrs. Smythe is the hero. She walked five miles in the rain to get help for her husband, and she never gave up!”
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As it turned out, Mr. Smythe was the owner of the local TV station, and his news team told the story of how Tara lost her job to save two lives. Mr. Anderson was mentioned by name, and his boss fired him for casting the company in a bad light.
When Mr. Smythe discovered that Tara was a semester away from her journalism major, he hired her as a junior reporter. She was earning a lot more than she had at the service station and doing what she loved.
Rumor has it that Tra has been dating a handsome young doctor she met in an emergency room one dark and stormy night, and he might be on the verge of popping the question…
What can we learn from this story?
- Never deny a person in need of help. Mr. Anderson wanted to run Mrs. Smythe off because she was dirty and he thought she was poor and homeless and it ended up costing him his job.
- Life rewards the kindest hearts. Tara risked her job to help Mrs. Smythe but got the job of her dreams and met a wonderful man.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who discovers his youngest son isn’t his and keeps the secret his whole life.
At 83, This Star’s Stunning Transformation After Facial Surgery Will Leave You Speechless
At 83, this legendary star remains as vibrant as ever. After a dangerous fall in her early 30s that required facial surgery, she’s still living life to the fullest — even riding a lavender Harley. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and an unshakeable love for life.
Over the years, she has secured her place in entertainment history. While other stars from her time have slowed down, she has continued moving forward in every possible way. However, beneath her graceful appearance lies a powerful tale of survival.
Defying expectations, she continues to thrive well into her 80s. Long before her resilience became known, the star had already captivated audiences in the ’60s with her beauty and charm. Let’s take a look at how she shone in her early years.
The legendary star was stunning in the 1960s and 1970s. She dazzled on screen, winning hearts with her performances.
The Accident That Almost Changed Everything
In September 1972, disaster struck during what should have been another fantastic performance. Just before she was set to go on stage at a Lake Tahoe casino, she fell 22 feet from a platform, hitting the ground hard.
The impact caused multiple facial fractures, a broken jaw, a concussion, and a broken arm. Witnesses said it was a terrifying scene, and many feared her dancing career was over, but thankfully, her knee was not injured.
She was rushed to U.C.L.A. Medical Center, where doctors worked for three hours to fix the damage to her face. The surgery was successful, but many wondered if she would return to her former glory.
The actress was famous for her beauty and talent, and with her severe injuries, some thought this might be the end of her time in the spotlight. But rather than retreat, she faced this challenge head-on.
Private Battles and Public Victories
She didn’t just return to the spotlight after recovering — she thrived. The surgery did not stop her career, and she quickly proved everyone wrong about her future in show business. By 1973, she was back in action, playing Mrs. Lowe in “The Train Robbers.”
Her work after the accident made her a versatile performer. By 1975, she earned two Oscar nominations. In the 1980s, she received six Emmy nominations, showing her talent went far beyond her early days as a sex symbol.
While her career flourished, her personal life faced challenges. In 1985, she shared her struggles with infertility. Despite trying various treatments, she and her husband, Roger Smith, could not have children of their own.
The couple raised Smith’s three children from a previous marriage, but she still hoped for a child, believing that whatever was meant to be would be. She often quoted the serenity prayer, asking for peace to accept what she could not change.
Even while dealing with these personal issues, she continued to shine in public. In the 1990s, she remained a star, proving her lasting appeal.
A Reserved Star in the Spotlight: The 2001 Interview
By 2001, she had spent four decades captivating audiences with her talents, yet she remained reserved. In an interview with The Washington Post, she kept the conversation brief.
After just 25 minutes, she ended the session, politely saying, “That’s enough. Don’t you think that’s enough?” Although she didn’t want to say much, her long career spoke for itself. She had made a name for herself across movies, nightclubs, television, and live performances.
Throughout the years, she faced injuries, depression, alcoholism, and infertility but continued to be a survivor. Reinvention was part of her career, reflecting her resilience. Her reserved nature, linked to her Swedish upbringing, made her private about certain topics.
She kept her personal life guarded, especially regarding her rumored relationship with Elvis Presley. Friends noted that she shut down when that topic was brought up.
While she was private about her life, she loved talking about animals and her passion for motorcycles. At the time of the interview, she was touring in a 45-city production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” even after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident the year before.
Although her patience with the media was limited, her stunning green eyes showed her passion and drive. She preferred to keep parts of her life private.
A Life of Speed and Grace in Her 80s
Now in her 80s, Ann-Margret shows no signs of slowing down. Earlier this year, at the Women’s Image Network’s 25th Awards in February 2024, she received the Living Legend Award. In her speech, she reflected on her life and expressed gratitude for the unexpected blessings.
“I am so blessed. I just can’t believe all the things that have happened to me,” Ann-Margret said. Even at her age, she remains vibrant and energetic, especially with her love for speed.
At the event, she proudly shared that she still rides her lavender Harley Davidson, decorated with white daisies. “I love the speed,” she said with a smile.
Ann-Margret’s reflections were full of life, showing that while she may take moments to reflect, she is not done living life to the fullest. From her rise to fame to her more recent joys, she embraces every opportunity that comes her way.
Fans continue to admire her beauty and grace, with comments like “A timeless beauty ,” “Beautiful lady now and always,” and “Still a beautiful, lovely & classy lady!♥️.”
As she rides through life, both literally and figuratively, Ann-Margret inspires many with her strength and passion. From her early days as a Hollywood star to her ongoing journey at 83, she shows that beauty, grace, and talent do not fade with time.
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