But I'm the one they ask. This does not cause me major anguish. Guilt sometimes, but not anguish. I also tend to be the one people put their children next to on the bus. When a woman clambers onto a bus dragging several small children with her and looking for an empty seat and a "nice" looking stranger, guess who gets tapped to baby-sit their offspring? And it doesn't matter what color they are, black, latino, Asian, white.... that nice white lady in the long dress is clearly the person who wants to sit next to their child. I have no particular fondness for small children (although I wish them no harm. Unless they're bratty.) But that's how it is. My life has been one long vista of trying to give directions and gently discouraging strange children from climbing on me. I suffer through it somehow.
Thanks for a beautiful story. If I ever run into you on a sidewalk I will definitely ask you directions ... just as an excuse to strike up a conversation!