Mom, you raised me right. This is the least I can do.” He glanced around the store, his expression shifting to something like pity. “You sure you need to keep working here? I mean, with what I give you each month?”

“I like keeping busy,” I said quickly. The truth was, even with his help, I still needed every dollar from this job. After he left, I slipped into the bathroom and opened the envelope. Ten crisp $100 bills. My son might have his flaws, but he took care of his mother.