I get outside into the cleaner air, but my clothes now reek of cigarette smoke from the lobby. As I pass by the metal newspaper box, I see a picture on the front page I'd like to use for a collage. I splurge and pay the 35 cents for a newspaper. I am surrounded by a swarm of people. All I can see is arms grabbing around me.
Mothers send their young sons over to get a paper without paying.
When I first moved here, I used to think this was stealing. Now I don't know from crime anymore. I only know from poverty. Thirty five cents is a lot of money and can go towards washing a load of laundry. It is good to be able to save it.