was my per

ts had m

Sarah," my mom had said, her voice t

I w

t made me feel even more out of place among

first life was j

owded, a

all, a radiant sun, and I was

ade it her missio

d into me, sending a full glass of dark

" she gasped, her hand flying to her

s giggled

ross the fabric, cold an

od there,

t, which he handed over with a proud smile. "This should be enough

the bills

o hundred

my dress

ily spent on gro

't an a

a sta

she could ruin something of mine

he vast, uncrossable distanc

ends cl

u're so genero

that," said another, "I

me, waiting for

hrow the mone

ed to

ng from across the garden,

l, almost imperceptib

make a

arents and I sat in ou

ence wa

"But her family is very important in this town, honey. Her fathe

unning a hand ov

u just have to swallow your pride. It's

it

ng me to accept

thank you when I

e Peterson

they h

had n

what th

owed my

er and my shame

on that slowly seeped in

them c

as my seco

ould have