Chapter 17 - The Girl OutsideAfter the gala, I stepped outside.
The August air was warm.
Manhattan glowed around me.
Then I heard a small voice.
"Excuse me."
I turned.
A little girl stood on the steps.
Eight years old.
Maybe younger.
Her clothes were too large.
Her shoes were worn.
She held a paper bag.
"I'm sorry."
She looked frightened.
"My mom is sick."
She swallowed.
"We haven't eaten since yesterday."
The city suddenly disappeared.
I was nine again.
I could smell rain.
I could feel cold water running down my face.
I knelt.
"What's your name?"
She told me.
I smiled.
"How old are you?"
She answered.
I took out the money in my purse.
Then my foundation card.
I handed both to her.
"Get your mom something to eat."
She stared.
"And tomorrow, call this number."
Her eyes widened.
"Who is it?"
"Me."
"Why?"
I smiled.
"Because someone once helped me."
She began crying.
"No one has ever been nice to us."
May you like
I brushed her hair away from her face.
"Then let's change that."
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