Dear Editor:
It was the day before Thanksgiving. I had business to attend in New York as well as picking up my daughter at college. When all was done I went to Colombia to pick-up my kid. As we took what she wanted to bring home to the van, two police were giving me a ticket. I asked them to forgive it but they said it was too late. Then outside the Lincoln Tunnel at the Weehawken exit the car just stopped dead.
I stood behind the car to ward off the incoming traffic. A gentleman stopped and offered to push the car to where it would be safer while waiting for help.
The highway rescue truck operator gave the car a “jump” but since that did not work he pushed the car down the exit. Two police cars were at the intersection. I asked my daughter to ask for the name of the intersection to give to the tow truck that was to come and take us to a nearby service center. We had a very nice conversation with the officer and a higher-ranking one about the fact that this was the heaviest traffic day of the year. We had called the number on the windshield of the car and were told that the highway emergency sticker was obsolete and that we would have to pay a heavy price for the tow since it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
So we waited with dire visions dancing in our heads. It was cold with a slight drizzle and all together gloomy. A white station wagon parked in front of our car’s opened hood. Two men walked towards us, the older one spoke with a fairly heavy accent and asked what the problem was. We told him and he proceeded to open the back of the station wagon. I thought he was about to sell me something but instead he very kindly hooked a portable charger to the battery cables of the car. I told him that had been tried without success. As I was talking, the older one said “it’s running.” I did not believe it but the engine WAS running. He added to keep the engine running high even if stopped in order to recharge the battery.
I asked him where his accent was from, and he said “Cuba” (mine is from France where I was born). I asked what I could do for them, ready to give some money for the miraculous help, but he politely declined any form of compensation. We wished each other a Happy Thanksgiving and off they went.
I/we thank the whole town of Weehawken for having such people that generously help troubled passersby.
“Felis navidad” to our helpers and we wish every one, especially the two nice officers in Weehawken a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Claude Aymes,
Somers Point