“Dream bigger, kid. There’s so much more than this pile of garbage you’re seeing. When I was like you, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. I even pictured myself receiving an award for discovering the cure for cancer. I’ll be the best doctor, and my name would be known around the world.” I smiled, reminiscing those days. Jean only scooted towards the bins, and segregated the recyclable and not.
“What happened to your dream then?” he asked without looking at me.
His question lingered in my head for a few seconds before the acrid smell of muck got stuck inside my nostrils.
“Got thrown in these bins.”
My answer probably addled him that he looked straight at my eyes.
“Why?”
“I grew up.”