i was enjoying lunch at starbux
when a frail looking lady walked by
her skin darkened by the sun
her hair whitened by age
her hand gripping tight to her plastic bag
she dragged her feet
looked through every trash can
disappointed at every empty search
i left my drink
returned to my car
popped the trunk
and pulled out 3 full bags of empty bottles
she was resting on the bench
exhausted by the search
and burnt out by the heat
she said xie xie
as i handed her my bags
i then realized she was Chinese
as i drove away
all i could think about was this lady
i turned my car around
but she was gone
on the biggest day of our lunar calender
she was collecting empty bottles
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