I walked out of Fred Meyers the other day after getting groceries, and I was parked right in front of the doors. A young boy (I would guess about 12 or 13 years old) stopped me and to ask for some money to get on the bus. He was so casual and confident about it. Something about it just felt really weird and sad to me.  I told him i had no cash on me and I got in my car. He went back to his spot sitting on the bike rack and I just sat there stuck in my car....sitting right in front of him. The more I thought about it, and how young he was to be out there asking for money like that, the more my mind wandered to what could really be going on. I thought about the possibility that he was being forced to ask for money by someone watching close by, or more likely that he was just looking for some free cash. But I just couldn't get over how young he was, so there I sat. As I watched, someone gave him a dollar. He went back to the bike rack and sat. Now even more suspicious that his bus story was just a story, I waited til he looked at me and waved him over.

I asked him what exactly it was he was doing...was he really needing to use the bus or just looking for a handout? He smirked and tried to assure me he needed bus money. I asked him how much he had gotten from people so far...and challenged him to show me what he had in his pocket. I know this sounds kinda weird...but it was just like talking to my kid brother. He was totally responsive and smiling the whole time. Once we chit-chatted for a while, I asked him about what really concerned me. I asked if anyone was making him do this and if he ws okay. He said he was ok and no one was making him do it. He stuck to his story about wanting the money for the bus...from our conversation though I could tell he was lying. I told him I didn't care if he was just trying to get some money for himself and tried to get him to admit it, but no luck...just smirks. I told him I was sorry for giving him a hard time and then told him that he was better than what he was doing. I told him he was worth more than to have to lie just to get some money. He smiled at me and I told him to have a good day. He walked away.

My heart breaks for young kids who only know how to lie, cheat, and steal to get things. Sadly, it's learned. I just wanted to be a moment in that kids life, where someone spoke some truth into it. He is worth so much. I hope he remembers that as he grows and has an amazing life. 

I could be totally wrong about this kid...he could have been telling the truth and come from a loving, nurturing home....I hope I am wrong.