Marissa was ashamed because her mother only wore shabby clothes and she didn’t want to introduce her to her girlfriends. But a kind stranger taught her a big lesson she would never forget.
Marissa’s mom, Esme, raised her as a single mother when her father took off, and they never had much money to spend. Esme worked harder than anyone to provide for her daughter, but she had to scrimp a lot over the years.
Unfortunately, Marissa’s best friends were obsessed with clothes and social status, so she lied to them about her family, hoping they would never realize the truth or meet her mother. Marissa only wore great clothes because her mother was an expert thrift shopper.
“Hey, Mom. I’m going to the mall to meet up with a few friends. I’ll be back later,” Marissa told Esme one afternoon.
“Oh! How about I come with you? I haven’t been to the mall in ages!” she suggested.
“But you don’t like going to the mall. You always say everything is overpriced, and we shouldn’t buy stuff there,” Marissa added, hoping her mother would change her mind.
“Well, we don’t have to buy clothes to have some fun. And I want to meet your friends. How about it?” Esme continued.
“I guess…” Marissa mumbled. She couldn’t think of any reason to say no to her mother. But she was dreading this outing. When they reached the mall, she saw Rosie and Danielle waiting at Starbucks just like they agreed.
She rushed to them and left her mother who was walking a few steps behind. “Hey, girls!” Marissa said.
“Hey! You’re here. Let’s check out some clothes at this store right here,” Rosie greeted and suggested.
“Hmm… did you come with that lady? She’s looking at us,” Danielle said suddenly.
“No. I don’t know who that is. I came here alone,” Marissa answered after hesitating for a second. She saw her mother stop in her tracks and her face fall, but there was no going back. “Let’s just go walk around first.”
The girls started walking away, while Esme stayed there in shock. Her own daughter told her friends she didn’t know her. Why would she do something like that? Esme didn’t know what to do until a well-dressed lady approached her.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Poppy,” the lady greeted.
“Oh, hello,” Esme said.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I saw what happened with those girls. I’m assuming that one is your daughter?” Poppy asked gesturing towards Marissa.