woman stands by the side of the road in the rain, holding a sign. I know what the sign says without reading it. I’ve seen all of the signs before. I’ve seen this woman before.

She’s seen me too. She always nods at me, gravely understanding, as I inch by along the entrance ramp to the highway, waiting my turn, waiting my turn. The route to my office passes by her office where she is sometimes standing in the rain, holding a sign, hoping that someone gives her enough money to eat.

I often do.