The Cookie They Couldn’t Afford

Then one of the girls spoke quietly.

“Guess we don’t have enough for a cookie.”

There was no complaining in her voice. No frustration.

She simply said it like it was a fact—something you accept and move on from.

And somehow, that simple acceptance hit me harder than if she had looked disappointed.

Maybe because I’d been that kid once.

Maybe because I’ve also been the adult who pretends not to notice things because it’s easier that way.

Or maybe I was just tired enough for the moment to break through.