- 2.
He frowned. “Strangers? What’s that
supposed to mean?”
I said, “I can buy my own clothes. Whatever I
do, I like my job, and I’m not ruining my life.
Give that money to someone who needs it.”
He stood there, holding the check, his lips
pressed together.
Ashley came over, saw the check, and figured
out what was going on.
She was furious, but she kept up her sweet
act.
“Sarah, you don’t want our help? Okay, we’ll
く
make il miore practiuai.
“I just opened a nail salon downtown. You can
come work there as a trainee. The pay isn’t
great, six grand a month, but you’ll learn a
skill. If things get tough, you can open your
own salon.”
“What do you say? It’s better than what
you’re doing now.”
I kept eating, ignoring them.
“Thanks, but I like my job. I’m not looking to
change.”
Some classmate shouted, “Sarah, don’t be
stupid! Fred and Ashley are being nice, giving
you money and a job! Take it!”
“Yeah, you’re a mess. Who cares about pride?
You’re just here to find help anyway! Stop
acting like you don’t need it!”
Ashley faked a laugh. “Hey, guys, calm down!
Maybe Sarah likes what she does!”
She turned to me, “Sarah, we’re just trying to
help because we used to be friends
く
help, because we used to be friends. Don’t let
pride get in the way!”
I couldn’t understand why they were pushing
so hard.
“Really, thanks, but no thanks.”
Ashley kept smiling, but her eyes were full of
hate.
Fred clenched the check in his fist.
“You’re hopeless. I can’t help you! You’re
going to die poor!”
After that little speech, a bunch of the old
guys swarmed around me, trying to get me to
drink.
“Sarah, you look so pathetic. Take a shot, and
I’ll give you a grand.”
“If you’re really desperate…I’ll throw in some
extra.”
They were being gross, and everyone was
laughing. Nobody helped me.
I frowned. This reunion was nothing like I
L
expected. If I wasn’t waiting for someone, I’d
have walked out.
I was about to call security, when Fred put
out his cigarette and grabbed one of the guys
by the arm.
He looked furious. “Back off.”
The guy yelled, “Hey!”
Ashley grabbed Fred’s sleeve.
“What are you doing?”
He still looked ice–cold. “Being a decent
human being. This is a reunion, not a freak
show.”
He shoved the guy away. The guy didn’t
argue, but he glared at me.
I looked at Fred, surprised he’d help me.
Ashley practically ground her teeth to dust, but she laughed. “I heard the CEO and his
son are in the conference room upstairs.
Maybe we’ll get to see the richest guy in
town!”
<
Everyone got excited.
The richest guy in town was hot, rich, and
apparently only in his 30s. He also had a five-
year–old son, but nobody had ever seen his
wife.
“Maybe we’ll see his wife! I have to put this
on TikTok!”
“This is big news!”
Soon, a bunch of bodyguards escorted a little
boy into the room, and everyone went nuts.
“That’s the rich guy’s son! He looks just like
his dad!”
The guy who had been harassing me before,
was no longer angry at me and became a
different person.
“Sarah, if it wasn’t for Ashley, you’d never see
the CEO’s kid! You should get on your knees
and thank her! Maybe you’ll get a job, or even
marry some guy who makes six grand a
month!”
month!”
Whatever.
I ignored him and kept looking at the kid.
Everyone was fawning over him, trying to take
pictures and videos.
Even Ashley, put on a cute act as she went
up to the little boy.
“Hey there, sport, what do you want to eat?
I’ll buy it for you.”
She reached out to pinch his cheek.
But nobody expected what happened next.
The boy, surrounded by bodyguards, ignored
all the adults and walked right up to me.
He smiled and jumped into my arms.
“Mommy, you’re here!”
