inspired by matthew's 1/19 post

my car rumbled up to the stoplight at i25 & colorado blvd., and before i could divert my gaze, i'd made eye contact with the bum on the corner who was holding a sign that read: "cold & hungry. please help me." i quickly looked down to fiddle with the radio controls and straighten my bag in the passenger's seat. then, after sitting for a few seconds, staring straight ahead, i grabbed a loose dollar bill from the car console, rolled the window down and held the bill out. the bum came over and reached for it. while both our hands were still holding the bill she looked into my face, smiled and said, "you have beautiful eyes."