« Noah. »
He finally looked up.
« Some. »
My stomach tightened.
« You’ve been skipping lunch? »
His eyes moved toward the hallway.
Then he got up and disappeared into his bedroom.
I followed him.
I was beginning to understand that something was very wrong.
Thirty-Eight Dollars and a Red Dress
Noah reached beneath his bed and pulled out the old pencil case.
He opened it and counted the money onto his comforter.
Thirty-eight dollars.
I stared at the bills.
Then Noah walked toward his closet.
He opened the door.
Hanging from the handle was a clear garment bag.
Inside was the red dress we’d seen in the shop window.
For several seconds, I couldn’t speak.
« You bought it? »
Noah smiled proudly.
« I got the last one. »
The shop was just down the street, and he’d managed to purchase the dress himself.
I looked from the garment bag to the money on his bed.
Then back at my son.
« Buddy, you stopped eating lunch for this? »
His smile faded slightly.
« Not every day, Mom. »
« That’s not the point. »
He looked worried.
« But Lucy’s birthday is tomorrow. »
I Didn’t Know Whether to Hug Him or Scold Him
I sat beside Noah on his bed.
Part of me wanted to pull him into my arms immediately.
He had worked so hard because he wanted to give someone else a beautiful present.
It was thoughtful in a way I hadn’t expected from an eight-year-old.
But he’d also been going hungry at school.
And that wasn’t something I could ignore.
« Listen to me, baby, » I began.
« Wanting to give Lucy something beautiful is wonderful. »
His face brightened.
Then I continued.
« But hiding that you’re hungry is not. »
His expression fell again.
« I needed the money, Mom. »
« Then you ask us. »
