Stranger

Excuse me!
Please don't be mean to me.
I need 29 dollars.
Please.
I'll pay you back.
Please.
Give me an address. I'll mail it to you.
Please.
Please.

A story.

Probably all lies.

The woman was homeless.
Permanently sunburned face and hair -strangely out of place late September.

Worn jeans.

Tattoos.

Stained teeth.

Smiled crookedly at the sight of 20 dollars, eyeing the money hungrily.
Gleeful that someone actually believed her story - maybe even the first.

I'm sorry. I don't have change. Take 20.

Please give me 29 dollars!
You're my last hope!

I gave her 40 and wished her well.
You won't spend it on cigarettes?

Oh no! Definitely not! I promise!

Have a good one.

Thank you!

I asked myself.

Why?

Because mankind is beautiful.