When he stopped me to politely ask me if he could ask me a question I immediately assumed he wanted directions. I guess it was because I was lost heading east on King St about two hours prior. But when he began to explain that he needed $7 to get into a hostel for the night I thought about you. I don’t usually spare change for people on the street but something in his voice struck a nerve. His demeanour wasn’t aggressive or pitiful. He looked like his pride had been shot down so many times, but the necessity to live another day far outweighed another moment of rejection. I told him I only had $2, which I gave to him, mostly because I felt like there was a chance he’d be injecting himself with a dirty needle and I didn’t want to be a big help to that likelihood, and partly because I believed he was telling me the truth.

I dropped the toonie in his hand and he said thank you. I told him to have a nice day.

That man could have been you and right now I wonder so much if it is.

Everything & Anything