I rode the bus in from home today to work, which always makes me feel better because I:

a) Save a little money on gas & parking, and
b) feel a little 'greener' by leaving the car in the garage.

On the bus there was a teenager sitting in front of me, and he either had some serious mental problems, or (more likely) was tweaking on some type of drug. He was tearing threads off of his shirt and throwing them on the ground, talking to himself, rolling his head back and forth. At one point he was looking at his phone and then just threw it down on the ground and left it there. I couldn't stop looking at him, and I kept thinking I should say something. Not harsh, but more so just see if he was alright. Who knows? Maybe his girlfriend just broke up with him, and he was heartbroken about it. Maybe he got in a fight with his parents...we'll never know though; because I got off without saying a word.

...Which got me thinking to Thanksgiving this year. I met my brother for a Turkey Trot run in Long Beach, and it just so happened that they were handing out random pies to people that crossed the line. When I ran across the line I won a pumpkin pie! It was great, I felt a little weird because I know that my face was as red as my shirt; it wasn't my best showing in a race; due to some serious sleeplessness. But regardless, I had a pie. Pumpkin pie. Which I love.

By and by, I was driving home after the race, and taking my time to enjoy the beautiful morning. Pulling into Hermosa, I stopped at a four-way stop on Hermosa Ave/2nd to let a lady and her dog walk by.

She was crying.

It made me so sad.

I made a right turn and slowly rode by her wondering why she would be crying on Thanksgiving, and thinking what could I do to help? I pulled over two blocks up and tried to think quickly. The only thing I could think of would be to ask if she was O.K? Then I thought, why don't I offer her my pumpkin pie? I mean, it's thanksgiving, a time to give, right? But wait, would she think I was a total creep? Here's some red-faced dude offering her a pie in the middle of the morning? Does she have mace on her, will I get sprayed in the eye? Is it worth the risk, to try and cheer her up? Arrrgh, decisions.

What would you have done?

Sadly, I did nothing. I put the car in drive and headed home. I regret not doing anything. I'm still not sure what I would've done, but damn it I wish I at least tried. I hope that lady is O.K.