
Iliza’s ankles were swollen as she stepped inside the Houston Greyhound bus station. She needed to buy a ticket to Louisiana.
“One round-trip ticket to Shreveport please. I need to leave today and return on Saturday,” Iliza said. The employee heard her and punched some keys on a keyboard.
“Ok. You will be leaving today at 2:15 and arriving in Shreveport at 8 p.m. and you will return on Saturday. The bus leaves Shreveport at 11 a.m. and returns at 4:45 p.m.,” the employee said.
“Ok. How much is it?” Iliza asked and the employee punched some keys again.
“The outgoing leg is $40 and the return is $55. The total round-trip ticket after the service fee is $100.98,” the employee said.
“Ok. Just a second,” Iliza said. She was only 19 years old, so she didn’t have any credit cards. She only had $40.14 in her bank account, so she couldn’t use her debit card. However, she had been saving money from her restaurant server job and had $140 in cash, so she handed the employee $101.
“Your bus will leave in an hour from Gate 3. When you see people lining up you should get in line to board. Here are your tickets. Have a nice trip,” the employee said and handed her two tickets, an itinerary and a receipt.
“Thank you,” Iliza said and entered the seating area.
Homeless people were in the bus station because it was cold outside and they had nowhere to go. Others were waiting for their bus. Iliza found three empty seats in a row and sat in the middle one.
Iliza was very pretty and people noticed her. Shortly after she sat a handsome man in his 40s sat next to her.
“How’s it going?” the handsome man asked.
“Ok. I’m tired,” Iliza said.
“Where are you headed?” the handsome man asked.
“I’m going to Shreveport,” Iliza said.
“Shreveport is nice this time of year. What’s that about 240 miles?” the handsome man asked.
“I think so. It’s about six hours away,” Iliza said.
“Are you going for business or pleasure?” the handsome man asked.
“I’m getting an abortion. I just found out that I’m pregnant and I can’t get one here,” Iliza said. Texas’ government recently prevented women from getting an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. She had been pregnant for eight weeks.
“Wow. Good luck,” the handsome man said.
”Thanks. I’m really nervous. I don’t want to tell my parents or ask my friends to go with me,” Iliza said. In addition to the new restrictions on abortion Texas also implemented a $10,000 bounty on anybody that helps a woman get an abortion after six weeks.
“How long will you be there?” the handsome man asked.
“Just a few days. I’m coming back on Saturday,” Iliza said.
“Here. Take this in case you need it,” the handsome man said and handed her $100.
“Thanks! This is the nicest thing anybody has ever done for me!” Iliza said fighting back the tears.
“Don’t worry about it. Get yourself a hotel for a couple of days and stay safe and warm,” the handsome man said and Iliza gave him a big hug.
An old, ultra-conservative, religious woman was sitting nearby and heard everything, so she called the police. She told them what she witnessed and they quickly arrived at the bus station and made a police report.
Iliza’s bus arrived and she thanked the handsome man again, gave him another hug and got in line. He was happy to help even though it ended up costing him $10,000.