It made me cry - literally

Yesterday after I got off work, I ran to Jubilee to pick up a few things. While I was there I saw a couple of kids that live down the alley from me. The little girl is more than I can handle on most days. My guess is that she's in about the 4th grade or so. She was with one of her brothers who I would guess to be in middle school. The first time I saw them I didn't make eye contact with them. I didn't want to be held up by the little girl. I was on a 'get in and get out' mission. It wasn't long until I ran into them again. This time I noticed that the boy had a grocery list. I looked around for their parents. I hadn't run into either of them in the store.

The kids and I were checking out at the same time. They took their load of groceries to the courtesy counter. The look on the cashiers face was one of obvious displeasure. I was getting more and more sad for these kids. I got checked out before they were done and ran out to the van to see if maybe the parents were in the parking lot. I got out to the van and looked around. I didn't see any of their vehicles, but that didn't mean anything. I don't always know their vehicles.

Finally I saw the kids coming out. They were both loaded up with grocery bags. The boy was also carrying a 12 pack of pop. They started walking across the parking lot towards their house. I had HUGE hopes that their parents would drive up to get them. It didn't happen.

I looked up to the panel on my van that says the temperature. It said -3. That was just the air temperature. There was wind and it was cold. Neither of them had gloves on. The girl had a hat on but the boy didn't. I couldn't take it. I zoomed over to them and asked if they were the kids that lived down the alley from me (knowing full well that they were). The boy didn't want to talk to me but the little girl yelled "YES". I asked if they were walking home in which they said they were. I put the van in park and told them to get in.

We got their groceries loaded up and we headed towards home. I realize that it was only a block and a half, but it was so cold that your skin burned instantly when you went outside. It was horrible.

To get to their house you have to go thru the alley. While I was approaching the alley, the boy said "Don't drop us off there. I'd like to get out here" (on the road). I casually said, "Oh, ok. Will you get in trouble if they knew I gave you a ride?" He said "Yes. Probably."

I let them out of the van and they loaded their arms with the grocery sacks. As I was shutting the door the boy told the girl that he must not tell their parents. They thanked me and I got back in the van. I shut the door and started to cry. WHO on earth would have their kids go get groceries in this cold? What kind of parent would make them walk? I don't know. I don't have an answer for this one.