Riding The Rails

I don’t know when she spotted me, but I jumped when she said, “Excuse me, Ma’am.”  How had someone slipped up on me without my knowing?  She apologized and asked if the train marked “Glenmont” went to Metro Center. 

I immediately assumed my helpful lady role, “Why yes,” I said, “It goes all the way downtown.”  As we addressed each other, I took in the details of her appearance.  Neatly dressed in gray sweats with a backpack hanging loosely on her shoulder, she was dark-skinned, very heavy and missing quite a few teeth. She sat down on the bench, close enough for me to notice a light floral scent.  We smiled at each other and she launched into her story.  “Oh Boy,” I thought, “Here comes the scam.” 

A seasoned subway rider, I worked in the city for some 25 years.   I have a hard shell when it comes to being hit up for money.  While I willingly give to street musicians, the Salvation Army and jugglers on unicycles, I usually ignore or walk away from the seasoned panhandler. 

Except, for last night…

Her story was typical, “I lost my job two days ago, I have two children, I’m working on getting help from a church, and my boyfriend is in jail…” A sad tale and it tugged at my heart.   Maybe that’s why she picked me out of the crowd on the subway platform.  Maybe I looked like I might listen.  Or maybe it was because I was seated on the bench in the shelter, with my head down, looking for something in my purse.  Yes, a lone woman in Christmas earrings and a Talbots’ sweater headed to see the National Symphony.  Hell, even I would have picked myself to scam.

When she finished her story, I held her gaze steadily and she never looked away.  “Okay, I’m going to help you.”  She immediately started thanking and blessing me and then gently grasped my hand.  As we sat holding hands, I repeated, “I am going to help you, and I hope you are not lying to me.”  She assured me she wasn’t.   I gave her $20 and she offered to give me a hug.   I declined the hug, but wished her well.   My train arrived and I quickly walked away and boarded a few cars down.  I did not look back to see if she boarded.  I did not want to know if she remained at the station.   

You see it makes no difference to me where she was going or what she planned to do.  I am pretty sure she wasn’t going to a performance at the Kennedy Center...  Maybe the money made a difference, maybe she did buy milk and Pampers for her kids, it doesn’t matter. I made the decision and if she scammed me, well, that’s on her.  It felt like the right thing to do and I am glad I did it.

I’m just saying…