That silver frame sat in the window of the consignment shop like it was waiting for me. I’ve lived in this town for forty years, and I’ve seen that shop change hands three times, but I’ve never seen a frame like that. It was sterling. My daughter, Clara, was with me. Clara is the kindest soul I know, but she’s never cared much for appearances. She was wearing her old canvas pants and those Velcro shoes she insists on for her long shifts at the hospital.

I don’t know why I remember the look on that girl’s face so clearly. It wasn’t just mean. It was bored. She was probably twenty-two, with her hair done up in one of those styles that takes an hour to look messy, and she didn’t even bother to look up from her phone when we walked in. The bell over the door gave a little chime, but she just kept tapping her screen.

Clara walked right up to the glass case, her Velcro shoes making a soft scuffing sound on the hardwood. She pointed at the silver frame. “Excuse me, I’d like to see the one in the window, please.”

The girl finally looked up. She started at Clara’s feet and moved all the way up to her messy bun. It was a slow, deliberate survey that made my stomach turn. She didn’t say a word for a long, heavy ten seconds. Then she just sniffed and looked back at her phone.

“The dollar store is two doors down,” she said, not even looking up again.

I felt a flash of heat go up my neck. I’ve spent my life trying to teach Clara that people are what they are, but this felt different. It felt like a slap. I stepped forward, wanting to say something, but Clara just laughed. It was a soft, quiet sound. She didn’t let it ruffle her.

“I’m sure it is,” Clara said, her voice steady as a rock. “But I really just want to see the silver frame in the window.”

The girl rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. She stood up, smoothing out her apron like it was made of silk. “It’s four hundred and twenty dollars. Sterling. If you’re just looking, please don’t touch.”

She said the price like it was a weapon. She wanted us to feel small. She wanted us to tuck our tails and run back out to the street. I was ready to do exactly that, honestly. I don’t need a frame that bad. But Clara didn’t move. She just leaned a little closer to the glass.

“I know what sterling is,” Clara said.