Mercy Street, Part 3

My attacker's story is a very Trenton story: poor, sick, overlooked, exploited.

I miss scanning the newspaper classifieds. The ads are scarce enough now, and come February, three New Jersey daily newspapers will cease print publication.

Engagement rings and wedding dresses for sale: Did the romance sour, or does someone need cash? Or both? Neither? Three slightly used car tires of most unusual size: What happened to Tire Four, and who the hell are you counting on, exactly, to buy the odd lot? Baseball cards, antiques, old coins wanted. Declarations of no responsibility for another individual’s debts. Almost gone, these daily snapshots of human existence.