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MODERN LIFE
Overheard at Food Bank: ‘What’s With All the Rich-People Cars?’
You don’t have to look destitute to be in need
“Whoa, what’s going on here? What are they all waiting for?”
Something was up. I was visiting the park for some exercise with my pal, Tommy. Cars snaked through the entire lot, engines off, silhouettes of humans in the driver’s seat, sitting. Otherworldly. Waiting.
“Maybe they’re picking up kids from some after-school program at the community center and they’re early,” I said. “It reminds me of a drive-up food bank.”
We glanced around. No placards; no explanation. Rows and rows of people in stasis, seemingly in the know, early for something. Not bold enough to inquire, I followed Tommy to the tennis courts. Not our mystery to solve.
A good hour later, after running back to my car to claim his hoodie, Tommy returned with news —
“You were right. It’s a food bank. You won’t believe the line of cars still coming in. And these aren’t beaters either, these aren’t the old, banged-up cars you’d expect. I saw big SUVs, Audis, a Mercedes, an Acura, BMWs, an Infiniti.” Looking utterly perplexed, he continued to stare, before saying —
