"Especially given your... situation."
She pressed her hand over her mouth in mock concern.
"I'd hate for people to talk. You know—say you're trying too hard for your age."
The dig landed exactly where she meant it to. And my son? He strolled up with a grin plastered across his face.
"See, Mom? Muriel's really learning to think about other people's feelings. You two are going to get along great."
Muriel rolled her eyes at him, unimpressed, and followed the associate toward a pile of marked-down clothes in the back.
She spotted a plain white T-shirt on top of the heap, raised an eyebrow, and pinched it between two fingers.
"Wrap this up."
Dylan scrambled over to pay.
I glanced at the receipt. $2.99.
Then I looked at the size on the tag. There was no way it would fit me.
Before I could open my mouth, Dylan grabbed my arm and pulled me straight into the jewelry store next door.
"Muriel bought you an outfit, so you should buy her some jewelry to return the gesture."
Seeing my own son take her side this shamelessly, my vision went white and I nearly passed out on the spot.
I shoved the shopping bag straight into his arms.