I am a 16-year-old high school student, and I spent almost half of my summer living alone in the biggest city in the United States. New York City was filled with people who had places to be, and as I stood...

Jaw-droppingly long lines flowed to the snack bar window of the Parkside Cafe, and by two o'clock I was sweating. I was on ice cream duty, responsible for all the smoothies, ice creams, and shakes that...