Casey's journey

Chapter 5-Kindness

I am getting ready for work when my phone suddenly rings. Tessa's name flashes on the screen and I answer the call. We talk for a few minutes and I tell her about Jace's party. "Casey I am so glad you decided to go to the party. And to be honest, I think you like him." She starts giggling. " I only agreed to go to the party because Jace was practically begging me. And besides, it's not like I have any other plans so I thought why not." Tessa doesn't believe a word I say. She's ready to play matchmaker but I won't allow her. "Oh my God! I have nothing to wear. We have to go shopping. Friday sounds good?" "Sure" I hang up the phone. When I arrive at work I go to Anna's office. I knock on the door. "Come in, " Anna's voice shouts. Anna is standing by the window. She doesn't turn around. "Casey, how may I help you?" "Hey Anna, I wanted to ask you if it would be possible for me to knock off early on Friday. Thing is... I got invited to this party and I have nothing to wear. My friends and I decided to go shopping."Anna turns around and I almost jump at the sight. Her face is covered in bruises. Her eyes are red and it sesms like she has been crying." Anna what happened?"There is silence and the atmosphere changes. It becomes tense. It seems like she got beaten up, but who would beat up a 45 year old woman?She starts crying.I walk over to her and give her a tight hug. She hugs me back and we stay like that for about 3 minutes. I manage to calm her down and I give her a bottle of water. She drinks from the bottle and has now stopped crying. "Yesterday when I came back home from work, I decided to go for a run. While I was running two men appeared from behind me. They looked shady and I became scared. I started running faster and they did too. I tripped and fell on the ground and that's when they got to me. They told me to give them my phone and money. I didn't have my phone or money with me and they got angry when I told them that. They started hitting me and kicking me. Luckily there was a man passing and he chased them away. He helped me up and took me home. I don't know what could've happened if he didn't show up at the time he did."Anna starts crying again. I comfort her." Oh Anna I am so sorry for what happened to you. Did you go to the hospital? Did you call the police?" I look at her with tears in my eyes. She doesn't deserve this, in fact, no one does." My husband took me to the doctor, but he said I will be fine. There were no serious injuries. They just messed up my face." Anna is trying to act strong but I can see she is falling apart.I do my best to make her feel better. "And oh, it's okay, you can knock off early on Friday" she smiles at me. "Are you sure?" I ask nervously. "Yeah, have fun!" "I plan to," I give her a smile. "You're a good person Casey, and thank you for taking care of me. I appreciate you being there for me. Anyone is blessed to have you in their lives."Anna's words warm my heart . It feels nice to be appreciated. By the time I leave the office, I can already see she's feeling better.