My trip was delayed. The factory was sending
holiday gifts to the management, and Mark,
as office manager, received a generous share.
My former colleagues delivered the packages.
Rather than waste the day, I packed up the
remaining socks and clothes and headed to
my usual spot. The stall owner was surprised
to see me. “Thought you weren’t coming
today?” I shrugged. “Just a few things left to
sell.” With limited stock, sales were slow. I
was chatting with the stall owner when Sarah
appeared. “Lucy, still open?” she asked,
holding several bags. The contents looked
familiar. I realized they were the holiday gifts.
Noticing my gaze, she laughed. “Mark said
this powdered milk would be good for Lily.
The factory gave me some too, but he
insisted I take this as well. I hope you don’t
mind.” Her eyes gleamed with malicious
pleasure. The stall owner frowned, glancing
between us. I smiled. “Of course not. My
husband gives you most of his salary and
takes care of you and your daughter. What’s
a little powdered milk? Tell you what. Have
く
him divorce me. Otherwise… you know, if his
boss finds out about you two, it won’t be
pretty. How about that?” The smug smile
vanished from Sarah’s face. “Don’t get ahead
of yourself,” she muttered, then stormed off.
“What was that about?” the stall owner
asked, looking at me sympathetically. My
silence spoke volumes. He sighed. “Can’t
believe it… So why are you working so hard?”
I smiled. “So I can save up and see the world,
of course.” A shadow fell over me. I looked up
and saw Mark, his face ashen.
“I… she took the milk herself. Said Lily would
like it. I didn’t tell her to take it,” he said when
I came out of the bathroom that night. I
looked at him, surprised. What did it matter?
It was his to give away. What did it have to do
with me? “Okay,” I said, and got into bed. The
next morning, I took all my savings and
く
boarded a train to Atlanta. I left a note for
Mark, saying I was going to buy stock and
would be back in a few days.
It wasn’t peak season, but the train was
crowded. I divided my money into three
portions, sewing one into my sock, another
into the hem of my undershirt, and keeping a
small amount for expenses in my pocket.
Despite my precautions, by the time I reached
Atlanta, my pocket had been slashed, and the
money was gone. I glanced around nervously
but kept quiet, determined to stay awake for
the rest of the journey. I found a cheap hotel
near the wholesale market, locked myself in,
and slept. The next day, following Carol’s
advice, I started shopping around for the best
deals. I spent three days in Atlanta, using
almost all my money. After shipping my
purchases home, I checked out and bought
<
my return ticket. The trip had been an eye-
opener. Atlanta had so many styles, at such
low prices. I focused on women’s clothing,
accessories, and shoes, adding a few
handbags as an experiment. I arrived home
six days later and immediately collected my
shipment, hiring a rickshaw to take everything
back. The goods filled a whole spare room. I
made a killing before the holidays. I’d never
realized making money could be so easy.
Everything sold out quickly. My savings grew
rapidly. They say clothes make the man. On
New Year’s Eve, I put on a new red wool suit
I’d kept for myself, applied some lipstick I’d
brought from Atlanta, and admired myself in
the mirror. Then I noticed someone standing
behind me.
