8-15-14 Street Spark - Say "Yes"

Jogging up Tibbits Avenue, by School 14, the RPI President's estate, nursing home, and cemetery, wishing for a really great hook for the new novel I start writing September lst.... there was a woman trudging slowly ahead of me, one hand at her waist holding up oversized pants, the other tossing a finished cigarette out onto the road.... as I passed by her and said "hi," our eyes met and I recognized her as the woman who's been pan-handling for money over by the pharmacy on Hoosick Street.....twice this summer she approached my car to ask if I "could spare a dollar" and both times I said, "No, sorry."  In the brief seconds that our eyes connected just now, I saw a tsunami of pain inside her.  I will say "yes" the next time.  It's not about the dollar....it's about the spark of light it might offer to ease the burden she's carrying.  As I reached South Lake and headed home, I got a great idea for a hook...