Instead of expressing gratitude, the child’s mother phoned the police when a young man broke the glass to free a child who was trapped inside a car. This is what transpired next.
After a difficult shift, Oliver was on his way home. The sun was so hot—at least thirty degrees Celsius—that the street was melting. People looked to have vanished, sheltering under the few trees, in their houses, or in the subway. The asphalt radiated heat into his feet, and the air shimmered.
He abruptly stopped when he drove into the regular route past the former grocery. Not because he spotted someone or was fatigued. No. He felt as though something had seized him from within. Weeping. The cry of a child.
He stopped. His heart thumped. He turned to see a parking lot behind him. Nearly empty. And there was a car — in the shade of a dead tree. a costly foreign brand. windows with dark tints. That’s where the sound originated.
He came slowly. His chest ached from the weight of his steps. foggy windows. And indeed, there was a child inside. A boy. No more than a year old. His eyes were half-closed, his lips were chapped from thirst, and his cheeks were flushed.
Oliver gave the door a yank. locked. He circled, still locked.
“Someone! AID! He yelled. Nobody showed up.
He then noticed a stone along the curb. “You can’t,” a voice in his mind said. It is illegal. But he looked at the infant once more.
Oliver cracked the glass by grabbing the stone.
A blast of searing heat erupted. He removed his seatbelt and flung open the door. The boy was hardly breathing when he was scooted into his arms. and took off running. Two blocks away was the clinic. He ran without feeling his legs. The doors opened with a hiss.
He yelled, “HELP!”
A nurse rushed over.
“The kid… in the vehicle… heat… he…” he said weakly.
The child was taken away. He arrived barely in time, they informed him.
A woman entered the clinic fifteen minutes later. She rushed up, spotted Oliver, and blew out instead of saying “thank you”:
“My car was broken by you? Are you insane? My number was written on the windshield by me! I was just in the grocery store for a minute!
Oliver remained silent. He simply gazed at her as if he was still in shock. A minute? In this heat?
“You will cover the cost of the repairs! I’m going to call the police! With her phone already out, she yelled.
Something incredibly unexpected occurred when the police arrived. Proceeded from the initial comment 
The police arrived in a flash. Oliver was listened to by a short, stocky cop who moved precisely. Everything. from start to finish. He gave a nod. then turned to face the woman cautiously.
Dryly, he questioned, “You left a baby in a car with the windows closed at over thirty degrees?”
“I told you to wait a minute.”
“You’re going to lose your parental rights,” he cut off icily. “And charges for putting the child’s life in danger.”
The woman’s face turned pale.
“And good job, young man. You saved a child’s life by acting swiftly. It’s unfortunate that the parents are so unappreciative. I’m beginning to question whether this was an accident. Heroes like you are what we need!
Oliver was standing close by. He still had trembling hands. He desired neither acclaim for himself nor a penalty for her. He simply fulfilled his obligation.
What are your thoughts? Was the young man acting appropriately?
