I see her at McDonald's panhandling - I put my head down in hope she will not ask for anything. The gesture works. She passes by without saying a word. Thirty minutes later I exit McDonald's and walk across the parking lot to 7-11:
"Mister, do you have a few dollars you can spare? I want to get a hamburger," I had successfully avoided her at McDonald's, but now she had me cornered at the entrance of 7-11. I look to her and say - "You know what? I have five dollars and some change. I am going to use three fifty of it. I will buy you something with whatever is left." - I decide to make the decision for her - "Do you like Snickers? I will have enough for one," she looks at me with sad eyes and says - "I like Snickers." I walk into the store and moments later return.
"Here you go," I say as I hand it to her."Thank-you mister. I appreciate it," she replies kindly. What happens next will forever be etched into my memory. Without a moments hesitation she unwraps the candy bar and annihilates it. Her action reminds me of a cartoon character devouring a submarine sandwich, but not funny...not at all. I stand next to her until she finishes. I then ask a series of questions - "What's your name? How old are you? Where are your parents?" - she answers - "My name is Cecilia. I am fourteen. My mom is in jail right now." Hearing the answers to the questions causes my heart to sink.
"Cecilia, are you thirsty?" - she says yes. I walk back into 7-11 and buy a can of soda. When I return she is gone. "She couldn't have gone far," I think to myself as I circle the perimeter of the store in search of her...I was right. I find her standing next to the store dumpster with whom I would come to find out later is her younger sister. There are a few sacks stuffed with clothes setting next to them. "There you are," I say as I hand the can of soda to her. She thanks me. I then look at her sister. There is an awkward silence and I ask if she would like a can of soda as well, she nods yes. I walk back into the 7-11 and buy another soda, moments later I return and give it to her. "Are you girls living on the street?" There is an awkward silence yet again and Cecilia says cautiously - "Yes, but our aunt is coming from California Saturday to pick us up."
I ask if they had thought about checking into a shelter until their aunt picks them up, Cecilia answers - "I don't want to do that because they will split us up. We just have to be patient until Saturday. Our aunt will get us then." - I refuse to judge - so I wish them luck and head on my way.
I'm a fairly macho guy. I haven't shed a tear in I don't know how long. But I'll be honest - seeing these two standing next to a dumpster knowing they are living in the street and just how vulnerable they actually were. Well, it brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. What did they do to deserve this?
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