Not Today, "Hon"

This morning, I left my apartment, laptop bag slung over my shoulder, and started the short walk to the college, like I do each morning.  As I was making my way through the downtown, a lovely, young girl stepped out in front of me on the sidewalk from a shop doorway.    She was wearing grey sweatpants, sneakers and a coral-colored T-shirt.  She was glassy-eyed and wore the look of a drug-induced stupor.  We exchanged "Hi".  She asked me if I was a cop.  I laughed and said, "I've seen you around here."  She wanted to know if I was "looking for a date".  "Twenty dollars", she added.  "Come on now, you're better than that", I remarked.  "It's how I make my money", she replied.  I stated, "You're so pretty and very attractive."  I leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead as I told her, "God loves you and so do I."  

She's someone's sister, daughter or granddaughter.   She could be my own sister or daughter.  I turned and resumed on my way.  We both left with our faces warm, bright and touched by the same sun.    Looking back over my shoulder, tears welling up in my eyes,  I whispered, "Not today, 'Hon'" ...

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

A good write Pete on a sad topic of the young trying to survive sometimes abandoned by dysfunctional parents and drugs like ice seems to be the trade off. Sad sad sad!

[Pete]

very sad indeed. thank you for taking the time andrew.

[Tony Jordan]

The world's oldest profession - vacuums up the youngest. If the demand wasnt there then perhaps she might flourish.
A tale of humanity and sadness Pete.

[Pete]

burdens me that someone would be relegated to selling themselves.

[Tony Jordan]

So many students here in Ireland are resorting to it and I have to say, unlike the girl in your story here, some are not that destitute Pete. Little do they know how much psychological trouble they are storing for later life.

[Pete]

yup. wanted to ask her what brought her down to it but,

"Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death ..." - Tennyson