It was back-to-school week. My list was strict: pencils, erasers, a cheap notebook. No extras. Still, Lily glanced at the cooler near the checkout.

“Mom,” she whispered, cheeks pink, “can I get a lemonade?”

It was $1.29. A splurge. But I said yes. The way her face lit up, you’d think I’d handed her a lottery ticket.

We stepped into the blinding sun, bags swinging, people rushing past. Then Lily froze, her small fingers clutching mine.

“Mom,” she said softly. “That man’s crying.”

I followed her gaze. Tucked between a soda machine and the wall sat a man, his body folded inward, shoulders shaking. No sign. No cup. Just quiet suffering that everyone hurried past as if he were invisible.

I tried to steer Lily away. But she held her ground.