“I promise you that I will pay you when I grow up”, begged the little black girl, her eyes full of tears, clinging to a small box of milk intended for her little brother. His voice trembled as he looked at the tall man in the expensive suit. The man’s cold response left the entire store silent. Keisha approached slowly, hugging her brother tighter. “Sir”, he said, his voice barely a whisper, “my little brother is crying. We don’t have milk. Could you give me a box please? I’ll pay you when I’m older”.
The store was silent. The cashier stared at her. Even the man next to him stopped counting the change.
Richard turned around, his expression indecipherable. Years of running a business had hardened him. He was used to people lying to gain compassion. “Girl”, he said coldly, “you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep”.
Keisha opened her eyes wide, but didn’t back down. “I’m serious”, he said quietly. “I will pay you. I promise”.
For a moment, Richard hesitated. Something in his trembling voice reminded him of his own daughter, whom he barely saw anymore. With a sigh, he reached into his wallet, took out a few dollars, and bought the milk.
But instead of giving it to him, he threw it at the counter. “Take it”, he murmured. “But don’t beg again”.
It was a sweltering afternoon in 1997, in an Atlanta slum. Keisha Brown – only twelve years old – was carrying her little brother Malik – in her arms. His mother had fainted from exhaustion after days working double shifts and barely eating. The baby’s crying broke Keisha’s heart: she was hungry, but the house was empty.
Keisha checked her pocket: just a few coins, just for a piece of bread. Desperate, she walked to the supermarket on the corner, praying that someone would help her.
Inside, businessmen chatted, mothers shopped, and the air smelled of fresh fruit and detergent. Keisha saw a man in a tailored gray suit near the case, whose gold watch shone in the light. I didn’t know him, but everyone seemed to look at him with respect. His name was Richard Morgan – a millionaire owner of several stores in Georgia.
