My life was once saved by a stranger.

It was a cold night in late winter in the late 2000s. I went out with my friend to Lower Manhattan. Just the two of us emptied two bottles of wine.

It was unusual for me to drink that much. I’m not a heavy drinker. But that night I lost count of how many glasses I had. I needed some wine that night. Because my friend had told me that she was getting a divorce. It was painful to see my friend being so distraught.

It was going to be her second divorce. Her husband cheated on her. She complained there was no decent guy left in New York. According to her, all men were stupid and egoistic and misogynistic.

“I just want to die”, she said drunkenly. “I’m done. There is no happily-ever-after. I’d rather die while I’m still young and desirable.”

I tried to cheer her up. After all, it’s just another divorce. Half of the married couples end up splitting up, so why would it matter so much? Statistics didn’t help much. She pretended she was listening to me, but I could see that she was deep in her own thoughts.

I took the subway home to Upper West Side. I was feeling nauseated because of the wine and all the negative talks. As the train went past a couple of stations, I started to feel really sick.

Being afraid of throwing up, I got off the train. I managed to sit on a bench on the platform. And then I passed out.

The rest of my recollection of that night is quite blurred. I remember that after a while a guy approached me and asked me something. Not understanding what I have just been asked, I shook my head.

He sat next to me and asked again, “Are you okay?” 

“No, I’m nauseous,” I murmured.

Then he asked me where I lived. I told him the name of my neighbourhood. 

“Do you think you can walk?” He asked. I stood up, but my legs were shaking. To make matters worse, I was wearing high-heeled boots: an excellent choice for an icy winter’s day.

“Come with me.” That man offered his arm to me. 

“Thank you, sir.” I was so groggy that I couldn’t understand what was happening. I followed him like a sheep led by a shepherd.

He led me up the steps to the street and then we caught a cab. He told the driver the area I lived in and asked me to let the driver know when the cab got near my place. Fortunately, the nausea was easing off. But I was still very disoriented. I told the guy my street address and fell asleep.

“Is this your place?”

Suddenly I found myself in front of my apartment. I said yes, worrying how long I have been asleep and how much the fare was going to be. But the guy paid the fare and helped me to get out of the car.

The doorman had already gone, which meant it was past midnight. I unlocked the front door and searched my purse in my bag so I could give the money for the taxi fare back to the guy.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s all right. Just go inside.” He held the door to let me in.

“But sir…”

“It’s fine. Please, go. Have a good night.”

He ushered me inside and turned around.

“Thank you, sir!!” I shouted as the front door was closing behind his back.

Next morning, my friend called and asked me if I got home all right. She said I looked pretty drunk when I left the bar. She apologized that she was also too drunk to send me back home. I told her what happened after that.

“Oh my goodness. Didn’t you ask his number?”

“No, he just left as soon as he dropped me off. I wish I had some way to contact with him. But no, nothing.”

“He was a real gentleman.” 

“Yes, indeed he was.”

“Can’t believe such a guy exists in New York.”

I tittered.

“Apparently does. So let’s not lose hope on men.”

She snuffled.

“I’m sorry. I said stupid things yesterday.”

“That’s okay. We all say stupid things from time to time. Just stop thinking about dying. I was really worried about you last night.”

“Yeah. I’ll get over this. I promise.”

9 years later, she got a new partner and had a baby with him. She looks happy now. We don’t go out drinking anymore.

Every winter, whenever I see drunken people, I shuddered thinking about what might have happened if that guy had not helped me that night. I could have been robbed, assaulted or even died from cold. I owe him a lifetime of drinks.