The evening sun was beginning to sink when a sleek black luxury SUV came speeding down the road. The vehicle rushed past her so closely that she had to step into the shallow ditch beside the road to avoid being struck. Gravel scattered beneath the tires, and dust swirled around her.
Evelyn expected the vehicle to disappear into the distance.
Instead, it suddenly braked.
The bright red taillights glowed through the haze of dust and fading sunlight like a pair of watchful eyes. A moment later, the passenger-side window slowly rolled down.
Inside sat a wealthy-looking couple dressed in expensive clothes. The woman wore elegant jewelry and flawless makeup. She glanced toward Evelyn and let out a small laugh.
“Look at her,” she said, pointing toward the elderly woman with a perfectly manicured finger.
The driver smirked and lightly pressed the accelerator, causing the engine to growl. It felt less like driving and more like mocking the slow, painful pace of the old woman struggling along the roadside.
But Evelyn neither reacted nor complained.
She simply stopped walking.
With a quiet sigh, she adjusted the burden pressing against her aching back and slowly lifted her face toward the open window.
