2
I tried to explain to the guard, but it was no
use. Then I heard a voice: “Mommy, it’s Chloe
and Susan.”
It was Susan and Chloe. Susan, with her
designer handbag, flawless hair, perfect skin,
and expensive dress. Chloe, in her name-
brand tracksuit. Lily and I were wearing
clothes we’d had for years, washed countless
times. Lily’s clothes were too small, but we
couldn’t afford to replace them.
Especially Chloe’s ice cream stood out. Last
summer, Lily had begged for that same
brand. It was over ten bucks, way too much
for us. Lily cried. I punished her, telling her
that her father worked hard, and we couldn’t
afford luxuries.
Now I realized that what was a luxury for us
was commonplace for them. Gary’s brother’s
wife was living like a rich woman. And I,
Gary’s actual wife, was stuck in the mud.
