Jerry and Chester had been scanning the area, looking for suitable targets. They were interested in only 1 thing: cash and valuables. They did not want to do that, but they had no choice, as they had been retrenched since last month and could not find work. Worse still, they had been evicted from their rental unit for being unable to pay rent. Just then, they chanced upon Evelyn, a lady in her 50s. She was well-dressed and was wearing an expensive watch. "She looks flushed with cash, just what we needed," Jerry mused. They observed her and saw her give money to a homeless man. Once Evelyn made her move, Jerry and Chester quickly snatched the handbag from her and ran. When they were a distance from her, they opened the bag and found bundles of cash and 2 mobile phones. Confused, they ran back, only to find Evelyn at the same spot.
"Hey," Jerry shouted. "We just robbed you. Don't you care?" But Evelyn did something out of left field. She took off her watch and necklace. "Here, take these 2," she said, before walking away. Jerry and Chester glanced at each other.
"She's not right in the head," Jerry whispered.
"Let's follow her," Chester suggested. Jerry agreed. The 2 men trailed Evelyn, not once letting her out of their sight. Moments later, they saw a speeding truck approaching. Evelyn was heading towards the road, not paying attention. Jerry wasted no time in pulling her back, just in time to avoid a tragedy.
"Are you insane?" he scolded. "It's so dangerous. You could have gotten killed." However, Evelyn snapped, "Why did you save me? You should have just let me be." The 2 men stared at her.
"Alright, alright," Chester said reluctantly. "Before you die, take us to your house so we can take more money." Evelyn agreed and brought them home. Then she took out stacks of cash, jewelry and cards. "Take everything. I don't need them anymore," she said. But Jerry and Chester, feeling the pricks of conscience, flat out refused.
"We are now homeless without jobs," Jerry began. "But you have everything one can dream of. Why are you giving up?" Hearing this, Evelyn broke down.
"What's the point of living when your closed ones don't care about you?" she said in between sobs. "After my husband passed away, my 2 kids cut me out of their lives. 10 years now, no calls, no visits. No one cares. It's very lonely at night. No one even notices I exist. So what am I even living for?" Jerry knelt beside her.
"Ma'am, I understand how it feels," he replied. "But life is a precious gift. Some are begging God for 1 more day." He then went on to share about how his late aunt, who had raised him, fought for her life when diagnosed with cancer, but eventually succumbed to the illness.
"Good and bad times come and go," Jerry continued. But we should never be quick to throw away life."
"That's right," Chester added. "We can be your family if you want." Hearing this, Evelyn wiped away her tears and hugged the 2 men tightly. With Evelyn's connections, Jerry and Chester managed to secure good jobs, thus turning their lives around. They also became the family that Evelyn lost, changing her life for the better.
