The woman was seated on the concrete just outside the glass doors of our office building, her back resting against the marble wall as if it might hold a trace of warmth. The wind tore through Fifth Avenue, sharp and biting. I pulled my scarf tighter and searched my pockets as I walked past her, expecting to find a dollar or two.\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d I replied out of habit, already moving away. But something made me pause. Maybe it was the tremble in her hands. Maybe it was the thin sweater she wore\u2014no gloves, no coat. Or maybe it was her eyes\u2014calm, attentive, as if she were observing the world rather than asking anything from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was bitterly cold. I knew it. She knew it. And I knew I\u2019d be standing there another ten minutes waiting for the bus.Without overthinking it, I took off my jacket.\u201cYou should take this,\u201d I said, offering it to her. \u201cAt least until it warms up.\u201dShe blinked, surprised. \u201cI couldn\u2019t.\u201dYou can,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019ve got a scarf. I\u2019ll survive.\u201dSlowly, she accepted it. Her fingers brushed against mine\u2014ice-cold. Then she smiled, not broadly, but sincerely. From her hand, she placed something into mine.A rusty coin.Keep this,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019ll know when to use it.\u201dI frowned. \u201cI think you need it more than I do.\u201dShe shook her head. \u201cNo. It\u2019s yours now.\u201dBefore I could respond, the office doors swung open behind me.Are you serious?\u201d my boss snapped.I turned to see Mr. Harlan standing there, coat flawless, his face twisted with disgust. \u201cWe work in finance, not a charity. Clients don\u2019t want to see employees encouraging this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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