Wax on the Pavement

Yesterday I took a group of high school and college students on a cheese-steak expedition through South Philly. After I had explained how quickly the neighborhoods change from safe to dangerous, we passed by a large park. I told them how safe the park was generally speaking. Though now as I remember it, I have heard of early morning assaults and robberies in the park.

As we passed on the south side we came to a corner where in the early spring there had been a group of middle school kids hanging around, weeping, playing music, and holding candles. It was one of these urban memorials, of which there are far too many just south of where I live. I debated in my mind, do I expose these students to the full reality of the city, or do I just let it pass. I normally, even if it freaks them out, tell outsiders about the full reality of the city.

So just as we stood on the spot I looked down and saw the candle wax baking in the 97 degree sun. It had melted. I explained that probably a middle school or high school kid, younger then any of them had been killed on the spot. I didn't really prepare them, just told them while they walked over the spot.