“I have money, Mom!”
“You buy everything.”
She wasn’t being rude; she was being sincere, and that made it worse.
“I’m your mother. That’s my job.”
“I know. But I can help.”
I looked at her wet sock, then pushed most of the money back toward her.
“You can add a few dollars. I’m covering the rest.”
“You buy everything.”
She smiled and packed the coins away.
***
On the way to the shoe store, we passed the diner.
Emma glanced at the red booths.
“I set aside enough for lunch,” I said. “Two bowls of soup and toasted sandwiches, okay?”
“What about groceries?”
“That’s separate money.”
“What about groceries?”
“I listen when you worry, Mom.”
“You should be thinking about your friends.”
