Chapter 2

I'd been in this business for over ten years, and I'd run into loads of cheapskates and people who loved getting freebies.

But I'd never met anyone so brazen about it.

One couldn't even buy an omelet for 3 dollars these days.

And she seriously thought she could get an organic meal with imported beef and black truffle for that price?

I couldn't help but laugh out of disbelief.

I shot back without hesitation: [3 dollars? Forget about the kind of meal I make for Mia. The cheapest lunch stand outside the school starts at 10 dollars.

[Indeed, 3 dollars can't cover the cost.]

I thought once I spelled out the real prices, she'd realize it was impossible and give up.

But I never expected her to go straight for the guilt trip. [Why are you so materialistic? It's sharing a meal with the kid, isn't it?

[They're classmates. What's wrong with lending a hand?

[Your family's loaded. Can't you spare a bite?

[Jason says Mia's lunch is so tasty that he's drooling and crying for it. Can you stand there and watch a kid cry like that?]

My head was pounding when I read her messages.

I spent my own money and time making lunch for Mia. Because Jason was drooling over it, it was suddenly my job to feed him?

My family was doing well, so I was supposed to be Jason's free lunch provider?

My hands were shaking from how mad I was.

Mia sat next to me, hugging my arm. She whispered, "Mom, what's wrong?"

I ran my hand over her hair, forcing myself to calm down.

I didn't want her to see me lose it.

So I replied right away: [Sorry, that's not possible. If you want Jason to eat well, either cook it yourself or hire a professional lunch provider.]

After sending that, I set her chat to mute notifications.

I thought that would be the end of it.

After all, any normal person would let it go after being told off so directly.

But I forgot one thing.

People who could say stuff like that were never what one'd call normal.

The next morning, I got up at five as usual.

I made breakfast for Mia.

Then I got her lunch ready: fried imported beef, steamed organic asparagus, truffle deviled egg, and a small serving of freshly prepared Thompson Seedless.

I packed it all into the special insulated lunchbox I bought for Mia, straight from Jalasburg.

*****

When I dropped Mia off at school, I met Jason's mom, Linda Carter, for the first time at the school gate.

She was wearing a fancy shirt, her hair curled, and was talking to someone who seemed to be a teacher.

As soon as she saw me holding Mia's hand, her eyes shone with excitement. She stopped talking to the teacher and walked toward us.

She stepped in front of Mia and me.

Without thinking, I pulled Mia behind me to shield her.

She shot me a glance and came straight to the point. "You must be Mrs. Bennett, Mia's mom, right? I'm Linda Carter, Jason's mom.

"You saw the message I sent you yesterday, didn't you?

"Did you bring lunch for Jason today?"

Seeing how bold she was, I thought this whole thing was absurd. "I told you yesterday. I don't bring lunch for other kids."

As soon as I finished my words, she snapped, "Seriously? I'm offering you 3 dollars a day. What's the big deal? It's merely one more serving. Why are you being so difficult?"

Her voice was so loud that all the other parents dropping off their kids started glancing over at us.

Mia flinched at her loud voice and gripped my shirt tightly.

I frowned. "Excuse me, could you lower your voice? You're scaring the kid.

"Besides, I'm telling you again that I'm not bringing lunch for Jason.

"My ingredients alone cost over 25 dollars a day. The 3 dollars you're offering doesn't scratch the surface.

"I have no obligation to spend my own money and time out of my own pocket cooking for your son."

I thought I'd made myself clear enough, and she'd at least have the decency to back off.

But instead, she flew into a great rage and barked, "Over 25 dollars? Are you kidding?

"It's only made of some beef, eggs, and vegetables. You can get tons for 3 dollars at the supermarket.

"You're inflating the price so Jason can't get any.

"You snub ordinary families and suck up to the rich."

Her comments got more and more insulting, and the crowd of parents watching us kept growing.

Some people started gossiping about us.

I couldn't help but laugh out of anger.

Was I looking down on regular folks and cozying up to the rich?

I literally said no to her wanting a lunch that could cost over 25 dollars for 3 dollars.

How could that make me a snob?