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Free Clinic

"I like your purse!" the girl at the counter realized, surprising herself. She probably wasn't used to admiring the fashion of the people on the other side of the counter, but I was sure we had more in common with each other than either of us did with the non-English-speaking family in line behind me. The free clinic wasn't exactly a place to dress to impress. The free clinic also offered free clothing piled messily on shelves, but rather than taking some for myself, I resisted the urge to organize them by color.

When it was my turn with the volunteer doctor, he marveled, "You're the first person I've seen who filled out this whole form correctly on the first try!" I'm glad my English degree finally came in handy. At least I know how to go bargain shopping for fancy accessories... and no one can take that from me.