One night I stopped to buy some smokes. Into
the liquor store I walked. Many people
were inside, some in search of bad habits;
our vices bring most of us here. A woman
in front of me was buying smokes—two types;
she bought beer too. I looked over at her.
She was clean and well groomed. She reached in her
purse, took out her card, put her PIN into
the machine. Plastic has different types.
Some people have bank cards, and some people
credit. An EBT card this woman
used—welfare! To support her habits?
I felt my body tense up. My habits
aren’t paid by the government. I watched her
and felt a deep disgust for this woman.
I wanted to curse her. I delved into
my mind to ask why we allow people
to use aid to purchase things of these types.
I began to think of different types
of people. Each of us has our habits.
I don’t know all the obstacles people
face. Then I pondered the “what-ifs.” Was her
story one I could understand? “Try to
put yourself in the life of this woman.”
Did her man say, “Go to the store, woman,
and buy me some beer and smokes—get two types.”
Did he make a threat to beat her into
oblivion—again? Are his habits
supported by Her fear of him? Is her
life spent taking care of other people?
Her life intrigued me. She treated people
with respect. She was pleasant, this woman
who I wanted to curse. Now I saw her
differently—just one of many types
of people, all with various habits
and whose lives I will never get into.
In the store are people of many types,
and I found this woman may have habits,
but I can’t judge her or what she’s into.
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