How Do You Survive?
July 2, 2008
Bus stop at 15th & Market
Ballard, Seattle, Washington
A young woman, perhaps in her early 30s, in a pink t-shirt and stretch pants. She approaches me at the bus stop.
“Do you want to buy a $1.50 bus ticket for a dollar?”
My pass just ran out and I’ve yet to buy another, so I say yes.
As I pull out my wallet, she squints at me.
“Are you rich?”
I laugh a little. “God, no.”
She frowns. “Do you get SSI?”
I can’t remember what SSI stands for, but I’m pretty sure it involves the government giving you money. “Nope.”
“Then how do you survive?” she asks with some concern.
“I have a job?”
“Oh…”
She doesn’t sound convinced.
