My Dad Asked, “Is Your Allowance Sufficient?” I Replied, “What Allowance?”

Trailing Stepmom

Carefully, I slipped out of the house to follow her one Saturday afternoon. Keeping a safe distance, I watched her as she ducked into a small boutique.

She emerged later, her arms laden with bags. Each piece of extravagant shopping amplified the contradiction of our household finances.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that her lavish purchases were somehow connected to the financial mystery lurking around us.