BELLA

To buy toilet paper or milk: that was Bella’s choice. She recounted her money, five dollars and thirty four cents in change. It would be all there was until another check arrived tomorrow. If it arrives.

She weighed the pros and cons of the two simple items, both necessary. The milk—well, Alice drank the milk like a starved vampire drinks blood: 'til every drop is gone. Bella liked to keep at least a half gallon in the fridge, because at fourteen years old, the calcium was good for her sister. Or at least, that's what they say. Who ever they were, anyway.

The need for toilet paper was obvious, or course. But it was harder to steal milk than it was to lift an extra roll from a public john. So, milk it was. She tried not to be embarrassed as she counted out the quarters and dimes until it totaled the requisite $2.56. With a long line behind her, she felt their eyes and assumptions slamming into her back, making her face pink up, her hands shake, and the simple math complex.