The cashier’s scream shattered the supermarket’s murmur like someone had smashed a bottle on the floor. “Insufficient funds!” she said, raising her voice in that sour tone that not only informs but also displays. “Again!”

He noticed the oversized sweater hanging off her thin shoulders, like it belonged to someone else. He noticed the tangled hair that looked less rebellious and more forgotten. And he noticed how her shoulders trembled while she tried to swallow her tears before anyone could mock her for them.

“Dad,” Ethan said, tugging gently on Jonathan’s sleeve.

“Not now, Ethan,” Jonathan replied without looking at him. “Let’s just move to another register.”

Before stepping away, Jonathan turned toward the cashier.

“Hey,” he called impatiently. “What’s the problem? If the girl can’t pay, then remove her. I’m in a hurry. My time is worth more than everything in this aisle.”

The words landed like a slap.

Maya shrank slightly, wishing she could melt into the floor tiles beneath her feet.

The cashier gave Jonathan a pleased smile.

“You heard the gentleman.”

Without warning, she snatched the milk can from Maya’s hands.

The metal hit the counter with a hollow clang before dropping into a return bin beneath the register.

The sound echoed louder than it should have.

Maya’s hands remained suspended in the air for a moment, still shaped as if they were holding something.

Now they held nothing.