The elderly woman’s demeanor softened, her earlier harshness dissipating like mist. “Thank you, young man. I didn’t expect… I didn’t think…”

He interrupted her gently. “It’s alright, grandma. We all have days when things just overwhelm us. Let me help you to a seat near the driver.”

As he helped her move, the bus driver, having watched the scene unfold through his rearview mirror, announced over the intercom, “Next stop, we’ll wait a bit longer so you can catch your breath, ma’am.”