I stared at the soup.
Mom’s recipe.
Luis was still making it perfectly.
I lifted the spoon with trembling fingers.
After eating half the bowl, I placed my four dollars on the table.
Amber noticed.
“Keep your money,” she said.
“I can pay.”
“I know. But today, let me take care of it.”
“Why?”
She smiled softly.
“Alguien me ayudó una vez cuando lo necesitaba. Solo estoy devolviendo la bondad”.
Then she refilled my coffee and walked away.
I sat beside the window fighting back tears.
My mother’s words returned to me.
Someone has to care. Today, that someone is me.
Only now, it was Amber.
And she had no idea who I was.
Then the kitchen door swung open.
Kyle appeared.
His expensive blue shirt was neatly pressed, and a gold watch shone on his wrist.
Madison followed him, pointing toward my table.
“What is going on here?” Kyle demanded.
