The next day I experienced the unpleasant feeling of going without food for the entire day. My mother spent her money on crack. When she found time, she stole food and clothes for me. I survived on sour milk, water, warm soda, crackers and handouts. My mother found me helpful when she shoplifts.
People are less suspicious of mothers with babies.
It was also convenient to hide stolen merchandise in my clothes. Whenever she was caught, I was used as a sympathy ploy. Store personnel would always let her go with a warning because they felt sorry for me. It was an unpleasant experience of living in the streets. I slept in backyards, garages and condemned buildings.