Karma with Compassion

    The story I'm about to tell you begins with someone embittered and broken down by life.

           Now Althea was sweet, loving and a pushover she had been an easy mark to make Helena’s ‘friend’. Helena thought Althea deserved what she got hadn’t Helena grown up in poverty (with the stupid name of Polly) forced to beg for every morsel? Althea had grown up in the lap of luxury Althea's' every wish granted with two loving parents , money, and no lack of friends and boyfriends. Althea had gone to college and even started a career though she didn't need the money as she had a trust fund. Helena had cultivated Althea's friendship hoping that she could lead Helena to untold riches and the good life.

          Althea’s fiancé, Karl had come along and Helena had wanted him not because she loved him but because of what he stood for…money and prestige…fame. she planted seeds of doubt in his mind about Althea. How she flirted constantly with other men and he had fallen for it hook line and sinker, He broke up with Althea who was devastated and Helena consoled Karl and then married Karl. Helene had money, prestige but lost her friend Althea whom she oddly missed.. Then one day a few months into the marriage, Karl was arrested, The government put in jail for fraud and the court  seized everything.  She thought about Althea and wished she had been kinder for now Helena had nothing and nowhere to go.

      Helena wandered the streets but hunger drew her to a nearby homeless shelter, hoping for help and turning to ask the social worker there; she shamefully noticed it was Althea who stood there.

“Payback’s a bitch, girlfriend,” Althea stated.

“I deserved that and more. I’m sorry, I guess you won’t help me now, I’ll go,” Helena answered bowing her head in great shame and humiliation.

Althea looked surprised and said, “No. I’m sorry. You did me a favour marrying Karl. He wasn’t the man either of us thought he was. Come in, Helena; we help everyone here.”

        Althea did everything possible to help Helena even taking her in her own home. Helena ashamed took back  her name Polly and strived to be better. She took loans out and scholarships and became a social worker, never marring again. but devoted her life to helping others. Tragically the two women died saving others from the Trenton Street earthquake; but Helena left this story for others to learn. So today we celebrate dedicating this shelter to Althea Granton and Polly Trenton; two brave women who devoted themselves to make other’s lives better.

©Sheilagh Lee  August 13, 2018