Every now and again, if we're lucky, we rub elbows with a good Samaritan. For one hard working single mother here in Lima, a chance encounter was as shocking as it was rewarding.
"It was a Monday night, a basic Monday night, we were a little busy. I had this couple, they were really nice, they were okay with everything from beginning to the end," said Nicole Rupert, recipient of "Pay it Forward" movement.
On every receipt is a guide, showing what a typical tip might be. For Nicole's customer's tab, they spent around $50. For something like that, you might tip around $8 or $9. But they left just under $150.
"I opened up my checkbook and I have a credit slip from this couple that was there earlier. They had left me a tip for $149," said Nicole.
But these customers' generosity didn't end on the dotted line of her checkbook.
"I finally got back to my apron, because I forgot I had put my tips in there, and there was an $80 cash tip. That floored me, it caught me off guard, I was at a loss for words. As a single mother, as a server, we don't always live paycheck to paycheck, sometimes we live day to day, work day to work day, depending on what we make. That night, they helped me out in a way I can't even explain. I was in a bind, debating what bill can I put off to buy diapers for my son or for his shakes," explained Nicole.
This couple, not looking for attention, recognition, or even a thank you, in return for lending a helping hand. They signed with only their initials.
"I'm so thankful, to whoever they were, I'm so thankful," added Nicole.
And, this pay it forward momentum, won't stop with Nicole.
"I would definitely do it for somebody else, I believe good karma comes around, and sometimes you're just meant to be at a certain place at that certain time."
