2x rebate II

Jack woke up with a sense of relief, a rare and cherished feeling. It had been a long time since he enjoyed a full night's rest, and he felt a glimmer of hope. He yawned, stretching his arms as he swung his legs off the bed, heading to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. Today was important—he planned to visit the motherless baby home and a local hospital to perform some charitable acts. This wasn't just about altruism; it was a desperate attempt to raise funds through a 2x rebate program for his sister's mounting medical bills.

The idea had been born out of necessity and shared with his mother, who reluctantly handed him over three thousand dollars—their hard-earned savings. It was a hefty sum, painstakingly set aside over the years, but Jack's determination to help his sister outweighed any hesitation. He quickly showered, dressed, and headed downstairs, grabbing the cash and leaving the house without eating. Time was of the essence; he wanted to maximize his efforts and extend his charity to as many people as possible.

His first destination was the motherless baby home just three blocks away. The place held bittersweet memories—he had visited it with his father before his parents' marriage fell apart. His mother had cut ties with his father after discovering he had another family. She had shouldered the family's burdens alone ever since, refusing to be a second wife.

As Jack approached the home, he greeted the security guard, "Hi, sir. I'd love to visit the babies." The guard silently conducted a quick search before allowing him in. Jack walked up to the receptionist with a determined smile. "Good day, ma'am. I'd like to make a contribution," he said.

The receptionist returned his smile and handed him a form. Jack filled in his details—name, address, and the amount he wished to donate: one thousand dollars. The receptionist was taken aback by the generous sum but accepted it, reasoning that with rumors of an impending war, perhaps Jack's family was seeking divine favor by giving away their wealth.

Jack reached into his jacket, pulling out a bundle of cash. He carefully counted out one thousand dollars and handed it over. The receptionist verified the amount and then handed him another piece of paper, asking him to write a prayer request for the children to pray over. Jack's heart ached as he wrote a simple yet profound plea: for his sister to be healed.

After submitting the request, he thanked the receptionist and left. As he stepped outside, a notification buzzed on his phone: "."

His next stop was a hospital, though not the one where his sister was being treated. He didn't want to risk being seen as foolish by the staff who knew about his family's financial struggles. The hospital he chose was near Central Park. Upon arrival, he headed straight for the emergency ward, where he noticed a distraught mother pleading with the staff. Her son needed immediate treatment, but the family couldn't afford the deposit.

"Excuse me, miss. What's wrong here?" Jack asked gently, touching the mother's shoulder. She turned on him, raising her voice in frustration, but Jack remained calm, understanding her stress. He approached a nearby doctor for more information.

The doctor, initially dismissive of Jack due to his young age, softened when Jack expressed his intention to pay the deposit. Stunned, the doctor instructed Jack to make the payment at the bursary and return with the receipt. Jack nodded and headed to the counter.

As he walked, his phone rang. It was Elisa.

"Hey," Jack answered.

"Jack, where are you? I stopped by your house, but you weren't there," Elisa's concerned voice came through.

"I'm at the hospital near Central Park," Jack replied, briefly explaining his presence.

"I'll be there soon. Wait for me," Elisa insisted before hanging up.

Jack reached the counter and handed over two thousand dollars. The registrar issued a receipt, and Jack returned to the emergency ward. By then, the doctor had informed the family that a Good Samaritan had covered most of the bill. The mother was speechless when she saw Jack hand the receipt to the doctor. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm so sorry for how I treated you earlier," she whispered. Jack smiled, forgiving her without hesitation. This wasn't about recognition—it was about helping those in need, just as he hoped someone would help his sister.