“You Are.”

Turns out you’re responsible. Now what? A Fable in Three Parts

Coronavirus is revealing and deepening our most troubling social inequities. (digital collage, Stribling)

A Teacher: LINDA

I only met Linda once before she died. I was visiting the Medical Respite at Pat Handy Place Shelter for Women in Washington DC which is a part of N Street Village where I am the CEO. The day I was touring Linda was lying down on a cot and her face lit up upon seeing our program director Kenyatta with whom I was walking. She had known Kenyatta for years and waved us over excitedly to talk.

Linda was 48 with metastasized cancer that had invaded every part of her body. She took no steps to hide her bald head or the pregnancy-size bulge on her left hip or the special diapers that the nurse had arranged for her. I listened as she talked with Kenyatta. She wanted Kenyatta to tell stories about her daughter — how old was she now? does she know the alphabet? does she mind the rules? Linda smiled the whole time. She wanted some fresh fruit, she said, and we offered to scout for some.

Linda was so cheerful — how could that be?

I asked Linda about where she grew up. “Oh, I’m from here. I’m a Washingtonian” (she said with hometown pride). “I was an orphan. I grew up at Children’s Village.” We talked a while more and before leaving I asked a last question — “with everything you are going through, what is your main source of support?”