“Why did you run away?” became the most common question on the Street. It was there before what’s your name and how’s your day been. It was the one constant thing in their lives. The thing everyone wanted to know, because it was the connection — the one thing that made everyone’s reasons, everyone’s excuses, seem justified. Knowing why someone else ended up on the Street was what made everyone feel safe.

“Why did you run away?” became the gateway to so many things. Other kids were easier to understand when they had motives. It was easier to know someone when they bared it all from the start, when they took their most vulnerable moment and let it be the one thing that would change them.

“Why did you run away?” became the reason someone belonged on the Street — the reason someone wanted to belong.

“Why did you run away?” became the here, let me help you. It became the I want to know you. It became the we are your family now, and we will protect you.

“Why did you run away?” became the hello and the I love you of Civil Street.