Today I met Cedric in the parking lot of the grocery store as I unloaded my shopping cart. He was pan handling. He introduced himself as not looking so good, which was not normal for him. He was trying to find work at a local day labor employment office but they had not had anything today or yesterday. Cedric had a kind face with a patch on his right eye. He wanted to help me with my groceries for some change but he arrived too late. I had all but emptied my cart. He said that he needed 23 dollars to get a room for the night and that he had spent last night downtown. And he apologized for asking for money and the way he looked, again.

I said that I would give him 5 dollars to help him and he said "Really? But I wasn't finished explaining yet." I said that was OK 'cause I understood and things are tough for all of us.

So I opened my wallet and saw I only had a $10 and I said "This is your lucky day. I don't have a five but I'll give you this ten instead." He was elated and told me thank you. I shook his hand and he said "I'm Cedric and you may never know me again but I'll remember you."

And I said "I'm Nicole. Good Luck Cedric. "