On my way back from the gym, I spot a small Asian woman in her early 20s sitting at the dark corner alone. She is swaying back and forth. Her eyes are looking to the ground. Her mind is traveling to another world.

Tonight, Lafayette Street is pretty quiet. I find myself looking at her. My mind is following her movement and somehow it is struck with deep sadness. I cannot keep my eyes out of her. Once I walk by; I pray for her happiness and someone to help her.

It has been two blocks from where I see her but I still cannot keep my head out of that picture. My mind is debating. A part of me wants to help her some ways but another part is nervous. I am wandering around the block and trying to decide if I should do something. So I go to the Subway and order a foot long Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki.

I am walking back to that woman. The more I am getting close to her, the more nervous I am. She is still there but she looks more intense. Her hand is holding a cigarette. Smoke is constantly released from her fragile lip. She looks like someone who is constantly thinking. Sometimes she smiles but sometimes she cries.

It really makes me nervous. I walk around there for a while and try to make a decision. I am wandering but my mind is fighting. Should I step in and hand that foot-long to her? What if she attacks me?

Finally, my fear defeats my courage. I surrender to my fear and walk away. I feel like I am carrying some guilt with me.

I do not know her story or what make her become who she is now but I hope she will have someone helping her.

I guess my punishment is to eat that foot-long by myself. I should have put some chili in it.

Tae Athikomvittaya