Arranged Match

Sophie bit her lip, keeping quiet.

She had planned to find a cheap, used frame. It was Jude who insisted on buying a new bicycle and covered the $400 out of his own pocket. To her mother, however, every dollar spent was measured against overdue medical bills.

Even so, Sophie couldn't fault her...

Over the past year, Helen had worked 12 hours a day at the sidewalk grill just to keep the apartment.

Sophie's father stayed home full-time, looking after her 14-year-old brother, whose treatment costs ran into thousands every month.

"Mom, I didn't spend the settlement money on the bike," Sophie said quietly.

She pulled her backpack around, unzipped the front pocket, and took out the $500 from that morning. "Here's the full amount."

Helen stopped, looking at the cash. "You didn't spend it? Then where did you get a new bike?"