I Gave a Woman $6 to Help Pay for Baby Formula – the Next Day, My Manager Called Me over the Intercom and Handed Me an Envelope

“Tomorrow works,” she said. I heard a baby fuss in the background. “Thank you.

For calling.”

We picked a time and hung up.

The next day, I got to the café embarrassingly early.

I picked a table by the window and wrapped my hands around a mug of coffee I barely drank from. Every time the door opened, my heart jumped.

Then she walked in.

Same hoodie. Same tired eyes.

Same messy bun.

Baby in a carrier this time, wide awake and staring around.

Our eyes met.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi,” I echoed.

We stood there for a second, then stepped toward each other.

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