I Found Two Little Girls Hiding Inside My Empty Trash Can—Then One Whispered, “Please Don’t Send Us Back.”

lifted her out first, then her sister.

Both immediately grabbed my legs.

Their hands clutched the fabric of my jeans so tightly that I could feel their fingers shaking.

“My name is Carla,” I said. “What’s yours?”

The girl in yellow whispered, “Lily.”

Her sister answered, “Lucy.”

“Lily and Lucy,” I repeated. “All right. Let’s go inside.”

I tried not to look continue reading …