At the gas station, while waiting for the tank to be filled, a boy, about 7-years old approached the open window of my car. He began a fast, expeditious sales pitch about the plastic flashlight/cellular phones he had for sale. He blinked one on and off while fanning the box with his hand for the full demonstration effect. His face was pink, with large freckles as he was loosing pigment in his skin. I said he was very kind, but no thanks. “It’s my birthday today!” he said while eying the wallet in my hand.

“Really?” I said. “Today?”

“Si, si,” he said. I gave him a quarter. He walked around the car and waved to my daughter in the back seat. He flashed his light on and off for her. Another car pulled up for gas. The boy approached the car and pitched the driver on the flashlight/cellular phones. The man ignored him. The gas attendant moved around the boy, giving him a tolerant, yet irritated look. The boy walked back over to my window. He stood for a moment, without saying anything. The attendant handed me the charge slip for the gas. The boy stepped back as I signed the slip. I started my car.

“You are very beautiful,” he said. Though I sensed he was still hoping for more money, I thanked the boy and told him he was very kind, again. I looked back in the rear view mirror. Another car pulled in for gas; the driver rolled the window; the boy began flashing his light.