I had just gotten off work after an 8 hour shift where I had barely stopped moving. I was exhausted and sat on the curb waiting to be picked up. A man about 60 years old walked past me, smirked in my direction and said “a smile never cost anything, sweetheart.” Stunned, I only thought of saying something along the lines of “I’m just tired.” He flashed a huge smile at me “I’m an old man and I’ve been walking around all day and look at me.” I’m 16 years old.
I wish I could go back and say to him that I have no obligation to him or anyone and it is not his place to tell me how to act. I am not an object put on display and if you don’t enjoy my facial expression, keep it to yourself because it’s none of your business either way.
