who was a chain smoker and lived in absolute squalor in a government housing complex.

She hung out with an older man who'd frequently come over and help her roll her cigarettes and otherwise keep her company (he was always there any time we went to visit her). Both of their entire sets of fingers were pitch black with tobacco stains.

For Thanksgiving one year, I bought each of them a cornish game hen. They seemed very appreciative of this, which made me feel good.

The next month to show their appreciation, they made me a plate of Christmas cookies. They wanted me to eat one while I was visiting to which I repled, "oh these look really good but I just ate and am not very hungry right now. But I'll take them home to my family."

As I glanced over at the plate of cookies on my way home, I couldn't stop thinking about those pitch black fingers.

When I arrived home, those cookies couldn't make it into the trash fast enough.

And any time I think of this experience, two Seinfeld references always come to mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MCtC_U4e2o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f27Yzpz7cMg