Alternate Ending "Thank You, Ma'am"

Author’s note: I am writing an alternative ending to “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughs. What I am writing is if the lady Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones hadn’t taken the young boy who was a thief Roger in then where he would be. The real beginning story is in italics and my ending version is in regular font.



She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone, when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.

After that the woman said, "Pick up my pocketbook, boy, and give it here." She still held him. But she bent down enough to permit him to stoop and pick up her purse. Then she said, "Now ain’t you ashamed of yourself?"
Firmly gripped by his shirt front, the boy said, "Yes’m."
The woman said, "What did you want to do it for?"
The boy said, "I didn’t aim to."
She said, "You a lie!"
By that time two or three people passed, stopped, turned to look, and some stood watching.
"If I turn you loose, will you run?" asked the woman.
"Yes’m," said the boy.
“Then go. Run, but you won’t go far.” Responded Mrs. Jones
“Why?” said Roger.
The women then had pulled out her cell phone and immediately called the police. A few minutes later, Roger had been taken away to jail.

Six months later, Roger got out of jail and he claimed he is a ‘better person’ but when he and Mrs. Jones came face to face with each other once again at the cold city street lights, to her surprise he thanked her. He had never forgotten that face of hers when she was frightened that the young boy would steal her pocketbook. A long six months of every night reliving the entire thing over and over again Roger came to terms that this lady has saved his life. If it wasn’t for her calling the police, if he was stealing purses at age 15 what else would he do when he’s older?
“Thank you ma’am” he said repeatedly.
“Excuse me?” said Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.
“Remember me? Six months ago on this very night I did something I regret, and you saved my life. I tried to steal your pocketbook but then you called the police. Being in jail has really turned my life around with a great impact, I realize what a horrible person I was and thank you so much for helping me become the person I have always wanted to be” Roger was talking very fast.
All the lady did was stare blankly at him with the expression of her being confused but understanding at the same time.
“Miss?” Roger was getting impatient but he could handle it.
“Oh, yes. You were that boy who tried to snatch my pocketbook! Shame on you” she said.
“I know. I am shamed but thanks.” All he could say was Thank you ma’am.