One afternoon after school, the narrator and their sister prepared a simple salad for their mom, who hadn’t eaten all day.
Though hungry themselves, they brought the food to her workplace. There, they met her coworker, Danika, who also hadn’t eaten. Without hesitation, their mother shared her meal, showing compassion despite their own scarcity. This small, quiet act of generosity planted a seed of empathy in the narrator.
Back home, the family faced real struggles—bare cupboards, worn shoes, and silence about their financial hardship. The narrator’s mother worked multiple jobs, coming home exhausted. Their younger sister took on responsibilities beyond her years. Though survival was a daily effort, their bond remained strong. Then, a woman named Mireya called, inviting their mother to a support group for single parents—thanks to Danika’s referral.
