Roma

She was quite beautiful, normal weight, new grey canvas lace up shoes, clean, might-be-new-light gray pants. This was topped by a fine looking light grey sweater with a clean t-shirt underneath. Her facial skin and hair were clean. The baby attached to her was in an expensive carrier. But she carried a hand-lettered sign, asking for money for herself and the baby. She was insistent. She would stand in front of the better dressed seated riders, holding the sign at eye level. No one gave. Until half way down the car a young woman in her 20’s called her over. The 20 something gave her a bill, which the young woman stuffed into her, just noticed, Gucci shoulder bag. The pieces didn’t add up to be true.