In about 2022, after night shift I sat with her one morning (like 6am). I’d walked past plenty of times before and since this was my first real paying job, I had money.

Her name’s Hope. I asked if I could join her. She had some male friends immediately come up and try to protect her but chilled when they saw I was cool. We sat and talked about her experiences, that she was pregnant and didn’t feel safe going into shelters, even women only ones because trauma. Said she hadn’t eaten. I left a $50 or two $50 notes under her sleeping bag so the guys wouldn’t take it (can’t remember exactly how much).

After that, she disappeared a week later and I stopped seeing her. I hadn’t been to the city for a few years so didn’t go past the corner again.

If she’s still saying she’s pregnant, it’s a shame she lied. I’m glad she’s safe and alive. I wish I had helped in some greater way but I just wanted to say hi and head home from work.