#scaredmoney

Before I begin this tale, I wanted to ask you folks to get out there and volunteer some of your time to any cause you believe in. I am a big lover of community gardens and green public spaces and volunteer my time to horticultural work for parks and botanical gardens. I highly encourage, for the sake of positive mental health and community strengthening, to do something outside yourself.

Now, let’s get going.

For a number of years I worked for a non-profit school in Chinatown, NY as an ESL and Technology teacher for adult English language learners. This is a story from that time.

I am waiting outside the main building for the office to open up and sipping coffee from a stainless steel coffee mug. This lady I see every morning dropping her granddaughter off to the school across the street walked over to me and stared.

In broken English, “is that beer?”

“No, it’s coffee” I replied with a squint of curiosity and confusion

“It smells like beer, not coffee” she grinned and sniffed at the air.

I did not respond, just looked at her

“Or maybe I smell like beer?” She asked herself with me listening in

As I went to reassure her that I was indeed drinking coffee, she pulled out an open can of Budweiser and took a sip, giggled as she looked at me, tucked it back in her jacket and walked away.

For the remainder of my time at that school I would see her about once a week. She would always ask if I was drinking beer or coffee, take a sip of her own stash, and walk away.