because a whole lot of people refuse to scooch over or put their backpack on their lap. Some days we've got a few people competing over who can play their music louder, or someone’s picking a fight because another person bumped into them, or there’s probably some kids and/or parents yelling. It seems too often people don't offer their seat to a pregnant woman, an elderly person, or someone carrying a young child or a stroller. Instead, (and I am guilty of it too) we sit with our headphones in and our phones out, ignoring the people around us until we see something we don’t like. 

I think it's time for the end of unedited spewing of unfair, uninformed judgments. Would that woman have said a word to me if I had explained to her how my kitten had refused to eat or drink for the majority of a week? Would she have understood that although I have worked a steady job for the last four years, I don’t make enough money to buy a car? Would she ever consider that perhaps we were trying to stay out of everyone else's way? Or did she just assume that I was neglectful of everyone around me, and my kitten, because I decided to use public transportation that day?

And also, why, out of all the other things that happen every single day on the trolley, is me sitting quietly with my cat the one thing she has to make a statement about?

After exiting the trolley, we had to wait on the corner of 22nd and Market for the bus north. It was cold, gray, and damp, and traffic was zooming by blowing gusts of wind in our direction. When the light turned red, a car pulled up to the intersection with the passenger windows down and a young woman leaned across the seat to yell out to us. I expected ridicule for carrying Claudia around in the cold weather. “Do you need a ride somewhere with your cat?” she asked. A ride, to wherever we needed to go. A warm car and a warm smile. Because sometimes people are kind.


P.S. My little kitten started eating again and I couldn’t be happier.