The manager threw the homeless woman out of the bank but was shocked by the scar he immediately recognised on her forehead. Then he found out something about his past that he had never imagined.
“You must leave immediately,” the security person said for the second time to the unkempt and dirty woman after she entered the bank.
“I cannot leave. I have to ask for a loan,” the woman said timidly but firmly. “My son is desperate for money!”
The manager, Ronald, came out and asked what was going on.
“Mr. Daniels, this woman refuses to leave and says she wants a loan,” the guard informed Ronald, and they both looked at the woman with concern and disdain.
“Sorry. Loans are hard to get here. What can you offer as collateral?” – Ronald asked calmly.
” Collateral? Can’t I just get a loan if I promise to pay?” – the woman asked in confusion. The other bank staff and customers stared at her and the woman lowered her head bashfully.
“No,” Ronald replied, grinning almost wickedly at the woman. “You must offer something like a house or at least a car. Something.”
“I didn’t know that. But I can’t offer my car. It’s my home too. Our home. We need it.”
Ronald had to tell the woman the harsh truth. “You must get out of here immediately. This branch is mainly used by wealthy clients. We are talking about millions. You can try asking at another bank, but I don’t think they will listen to you there. Get out before we kick you out,” he said quietly so that other customers wouldn’t hear him.
But the woman started crying and would not let go of the manager’s hand. “Please! You have to help me! Please! My son!” – she shouted, tugging at his suit jacket. Ronald lost all vestiges of courtesy.
“Let me go now!” he shouted, pushing the woman away from him and wiping his jacket. The woman fell to the floor, exposing her face and hair from under the hood. Ronald looked at the woman with disgust, but something surprised him.
There was a familiar scar on her forehead. He had already seen it many, many years ago.
“I’ll walk her out, Mr. Daniels,” the guard offered and approached the woman, but stopped when Ronald put his hand on his shoulder. The manager was about to bend down and ask the dirty homeless woman if they had met before, but suddenly she stood up.
“I came here for a loan, and I’ll get it somehow! It’s not for me. This is for your son, Ronald! Whatever your name is-Mr. Daniels!” she hissed angrily, and now contempt was written on her face.
Ronald’s whole world stopped at her words, which confirmed that he knew her. It was Marianne, his ex-fiancee, whom he had abandoned and had not seen for many years.
“My son?” he asked softly, panting.
“Yes, Ronald! You left me, and I was pregnant!” – Marianne shouted, attracting the attention of everyone present. “I had nothing, no one, and no help! We lived in my car and in temporary shelters for many years. Now our son Joshua is sick, and I can’t pay for treatment!”.
Ronald froze in place. The guard was shocked, and all the work of the bank was stopped after these words. They all looked at the manager to see what he would do.
Ronald cursed himself because he knew that this scene would reach his superiors and he might be fired. But most of all he thought about how he had left Marianne, how he was not ready to get married and how he wanted to disappear. It was a difficult moment in his life, but he did not know that she was pregnant and that she would not be able to provide a good life for herself.
Finally, he cooled down and asked the security guard to escort Marianne to his office, while he himself stayed and apologised to the clients. He spoke to his staff for a few minutes before entering his office.
Marianne told him more. All about her son, his illness, how much money they need, etc. But she also spoke in detail about her life. How difficult her pregnancy was, how broken she was, and how she struggled with depression while trying to take care of her child.
“I even thought I would have to give him up for adoption, but I didn’t have the courage to do that either. I was a cowardly mother who couldn’t give him the best, or even the most necessary things. But I finally found the courage to find you, and here you are. A sophisticated bank manager who feels entitled to kick people out just because they don’t have money or nice clothes or a proper place to take a shower…” Marianne finally stopped ranting and tears flowed from her eyes. Her sobs and Ronald’s silence went on for a long time.
When she finally calmed down, she squared her shoulders, stared at him intently and pursed her lips before saying, “So, will you help me get a loan?”.
Ronald sighed. He looked untidy because he ran his fingers through his hair, and his gaze was fixed into the distance, but he didn’t focus on anything in particular. He was restless, as if the guilt of the past was eating away at him. “No, I can’t,” he finally replied, looking down.
“You have to!”
“Wait, let me finish,” Ronald said, lifting a finger. “It’s hard to get credit here, even for employees. But I’ve got a good salary. From now on, I’ll pay for everything-the years of child support I’ve missed and everything else.”
“Really?” – Marianne asked. “Just like that, for nothing? After you left me?”
“Yes, I was a stupid person then, Marianne. I can’t change that. I can’t change the way you lived then, but I can do something now. I can help our son,” Ronald said. “Joshua… what is he like? He’s probably five or four?”
He’s five now, and he’s just adorable. He’s so brave, even in terrible hospitals…” Marianne began, and soon her anger faded when she started talking about her child. They continued to talk, and Ronald listened attentively.
After that, he kept his promise. He paid for Joshua’s treatment and surgeries. Fortunately, he didn’t lose his job at the bank.
He also found an apartment for Marianne and her son and promised to pay for it so that they would never be homeless again. When everything settled down and Joshua got better, Marianne found a permanent job, and her life and her son’s life changed dramatically.
Ronald and Marianne never saw each other again, but they were connected by their son, and the father wanted to work on his relationship with Joshua. Because no matter what opinion you have about your ex-partner, children come first.
