I gave up my prom dress savings to help a stranger — but I never imagined what he’d bring me the next night.

I sat on the city bus, clutching it in my hands, heart racing with excitement.

Two more stops.

Then I’d be at the boutique.

I imagined myself in the mirror.

Hair done.

Makeup soft and glowing.

For once, I wouldn’t feel like the poor girl.

For once, I’d feel like everyone else.

The bus slowed.

The doors opened.

Two transit officers stepped on.

They scanned the bus.

Then their eyes landed on a man sitting near the back.

Thin.

Gray beard.

Threadbare jacket.

Shoes worn down to the soles.

He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

One officer stopped in front of him.

“Sir, ticket or pass.”

The man’s hands shook as he searched his pockets.

Nothing.

“I… I don’t have one,” he said quietly.

“You’re riding without a valid pass,” the officer replied.

The man swallowed.

“Please,” he said. “My daughter’s sick. She’s at home alone. I need to get to the hospital. I was just trying to make it in time.”

His voice cracked.

The bus was silent.

People stared at their phones.

Out the windows.

At the floor.

Anywhere but at him.

I felt my chest tighten.

I looked down at the envelope.

Then back at the man.

I thought about my mom.

About my grandma.

About how lucky I was to have people who cared.

My hands started to shake.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stood up.

“I’ll cover it,” I said.

Every head turned.

The officer looked at me.

“Cover what?”