Violent rain in a Western city.

Driver illegally moving into crosswalk, looking right, planning a turn, not seeing pedestrians – a family crossing in the crosswalk, legally, from the left, a child racing pointlessly ahead.

Driver sees family – a little late. Halts.

Nothing bad happens.

Mother of family glares at driver. Family crosses safely and walks on in pouring rain.

Driver waits, turns to follow family, slows down. Calls out (approximately) “Señora, lo siento mucho por antes…” (“Ma’am, I’m very sorry for before.”) Extends a furled umbrella. Mother of family pauses a judicious moment. “Muchas gracias.” Takes umbrella. Opens it.

Family walks on, huddled under umbrella.

Yes, the dog is on a leash.

Good luck for the driver to have an umbrella to offer. Who knows if the apology would have been accepted without that gesture of sincerity?

The pause says: I am considering your offense. I see you are really sorry. All right. I accept your apology.

It was a heavy rainstorm. That’s when you have to drive especially carefully. Sometimes an umbrella wouldn’t be enough to make amends.