Easy to recognize the deflation of the older lady with bags who was pinned down opposite the bus she wanted by traffic crossing in both directions. She knew she was SOL.

I'm right next to her, waiting for the same hole in the traffic to turn onto the arterial. She looked at me and I told her to hop in.

We chit-chatted about buses. Her trip requires her to transfer, which we skipped, and I dropped her off at the Starbucks near her work so that she, too, could get a coffee and still not be late.

You are a noble balm sometimes, half-a-car.