Judged in the Lobby

She Looked Homeless, But She Was Waiting for a Job Interview Upstairs” She stood in the

lobby of a downtown building in Chicago, holding a folded résumé in trembling hands.

She wore a faded coat and worn shoes that made people assume the worst. She felt their eyes

on her as they walked past, whispering, judging, avoiding.

She wasn’t homeless, even though she looked like it. She had slept in her car the night

before because she couldn’t afford rent anymore. She had chosen gas over food just to

make it to this interview. She checked her phone again to confirm the address.

She was early, but she didn’t want to risk being late. She knew this interview could change everything.