Eddie noticed that the cleaning woman in the building was not acting like herself. He had seen her around the office and decided to ask if she was okay.
She told him she had been sick for about three weeks with a stomach issue caused by a bacterial infection. But she could not take time off because she would not be paid, and she feared that if she missed work, she could be replaced. Eddie shared that she did not work directly for their company but for another company contracted to clean the building, which meant they had no connection to her supervisors. He explained that despite being unwell, she continued to come in every day because she depended on hourly pay and had no option to step away. He began thinking about how to help her and brought the situation to the group. He mentioned the idea of starting a fundraiser, like a GoFundMe that other people could also help if they wanted to. He also suggested that they could contribute money themselves or even help with her daily tasks so she would not have to do as much physical work while sick.
Bobby wanted to know what Eddie's actual plan would be for all of this. He questioned how they could help someone who had not asked for assistance and pointed out that offering help could sometimes make a person feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. When he was younger, receiving help made him feel ashamed, even though he needed it. He recalled instances when people brought food, clothes, or presents to his home and how those moments, while generous, were difficult for him emotionally. Eddie acknowledged that even if they gave her money, it would not necessarily solve the issue of her needing to show up to work. If she continued coming in, he thinks the best case scenario would be to ease her workload by helping with tasks while also offering financial support.
Bobby really wanted Eddie to get some more information, noting that they did not know the full extent of her situation, including whether she was able to see a doctor or how much her medical care might cost. He suggested that Eddie speak with her again to better understand her needs before making any decisions. Eddie agreed and plans to ask her more direct questions about her condition, her medical expenses, and what she was doing to get better. He was a little worried that asking too many questions might feel uncomfortable but the show encouraged him to be straightforward and simply ask how they could help. He recalled that the situation began when he offered her food, and she declined, explaining that her stomach pain prevented her from eating. This reinforced for him that her condition was serious and affecting her daily life.
Bobby encouraged Eddie to approach her directly and explain that they had been discussing ways to support her, asking what would make things easier for her. He stressed that there was no need to avoid the topic or ease into the conversation indirectly. Eddie agreed to follow through and said he would speak with her the next time he saw her, ask what she needed most, and report back with more information so they could decide how to help.