Laura Oestreicher Rikon is a 2008 Staples grad. She lives abroad now, but always appreciates returning to her hometown.
On Saturday night, she and a friend had dinner at Bobby Q’s. They enjoyed their meal — but later, Laura realized one of her earrings was missing.
Laura Oestreicher Rikon, and her beloved earrings.
They have great sentimental value — they were the last birthday present Laura’s grandmother gave her.
Laura and her friend searched all over the car, the parking lot and the street. Finding nothing, they returned to Bobby Q’s.
The staff helped her look around the floor, and in the bathroom. But they said they’d already swept up, so her earring might have been thrown away. They suggested she call in the morning. Laura thanked them and left — very disappointed and upset, yet grateful for their help.
But she dawdled on her way out, still hopeful she’d find the missing jewelry. Once more, she searched the parking lot. Once more, nothing.
About to give up, she saw 2 men running toward her. They yelled, “We found it! We found it!”
They told her they knew how important the earring was to her. So after she left they crawled on the floor, using their phones for light. There it was!
Laura was thrilled to have her earring back — and floored by the kindness of strangers, who went far out of their way to do a good deed.
“Their generosity was so heartwarming, I couldn’t find words to express my gratitude,” she says. “And all they asked in return was that I pay it forward.”
In her excitement, she forgot to get their names. She hopes that telling her story on “06880” is one way of thanking them — and letting Westporters know how special Bobby Q’s is.
