Chapter 5: A Different Kind of Home

Natalie’s house was even smaller than I’d imagined.

The living room was messy, with picture books and toys piled on the couch. I remembered—Natalie had a little sister, not even three yet.

“Natalie, are you still mad at me?” Her mom set a shoebox on the coffee table. “I scraped together enough to buy you those shoes you liked. Check if they’re the right pair.”

I opened the box: fake designer slip-ons. I could tell instantly—they were knockoffs. Last week, my mom had made me wear the real thing to school, like she did every month.

Even though I didn’t like those shoes, I wore them because she told me to. I remembered how Natalie checked the price online and sulked all day.

“Natalie, did I get the wrong pair?”

Her gentle, careful voice brought me back. Looking at her hopeful eyes, my heart warmed. “No, it’s just…my classmate has the same pair. Can I pick a different one?”

“Of course. Here, take my phone. After you choose, just put it in the shopping cart. I’ll go next door to get your sister.”

She handed me her phone—an old, cracked Samsung Galaxy. The lock screen was a picture of Natalie and her sister. The faded Target logo on my backpack, cereal boxes stacked on top of the fridge, the bills clipped up by a fridge magnet—all of it told me Natalie’s mom was frugal, but loved her girls deeply.

How nice. Such a good mom will be mine from now on.