So this chapter is based on a real experience I had the other day. I had a huge surge of guilt spending my money on things I didn't really need when I could use it to do good.
(Obviously the woman in the real life story didn't die.)
"Spare any change?" Glancing up from her book the homeless woman repeated her line.
"Sorry, I don't have any." The young girl panicked as she said back hers, entering the shop without a backwards glance.
It was beginning to near the end of the night, lights were going out, and the streets were already a deep shade of black. I'd been collecting a lot of people on the streets lately; it was a truly cold November this year.
I heard the woman sigh again and again as more passers-by went about their night. Even though she was wrapped in a sleeping bag on the cold ground, no one would give her the change I knew was in their pockets. Money they didn't need. Snack money, cinema money, alcohol money – drug money. And they had the audacity to turn to her and refuse her, in case she spent it on something unnecessary. I've told you before that I could go on forever about the atrocities of humanity – perhaps you are seeing some light on the subject? Or perhaps you think it's justified too...
Just as I had abandoned all hope, the dazed and nervous girl came back out of the shop. In her pocket were her cigarettes, but in her hand, she carried a small bag, filled with a few items of food. I stared in disbelief as she started to stutter.
"Sorry – I-I-I didn't have any change earlier- I only had my card. But I – so I - brought you some food." Barely getting out the right words, she held out the bag to the lady on the floor, who's name she did not know. She looked so worried, like she was unsure this was the right thing to do. I could see through her skin, under her ribcage – her heart was beating incredibly fast.
"Oh bless you, thank you so much." The woman smiled encouragingly, accepting the girl's offer.
"No worries." The girl blew out the breath she'd been holding in for minutes, and started to walk home.
"Have a good evening." The woman called. Grinning, the girl turned and gave a small wave.
"Thank you! You too."
Once again, the woman was left to her book.
Now if only, the girl's kind gesture could've been enough.
Total: 1 woman, frozen in the rain.
Age: 45
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's got a very real feeling to it I think.
Next update: Saturday 2nd December
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