Something Dollars Can’t Be

“Lillian, we can’t afford that new coat.”

“Lillian, Santa may not be able to give you all those things.”

“Lillian, remember the best things in life are free.”

There always had to be tall trees in the way of the sun. I couldn’t be like other girls, no matter how hard I wished. Living with four siblings and a single mom in a cramped Florida condo, heck, I couldn’t have anything. Today the torture would start again: school. As I shoved down my Lucky Charms, the flicker of the tv caught my attention. Another hurricane watch. We’d been hearing these all month, so the warnings eventually became a routine.

The cloudy sky outside the classroom matched my mood as I shuffled into my prehistoric desk. The soundless routine of school buzzed, like a mosquito that loyally didn’t leave despite annoyed swatting. Bullies didn’t care that I couldn’t control the amount of money my family had, but my handed-down clothes and cheap school supplies must have been too good of an opportunity to miss.

Suddenly, a loud screech blared across the school, disrupting the ruthless stream of teasing whispers gathering around me. The severe weather alarm. We weren’t expecting another drill until next semester. Until I, along with the scared kids around me, realized this wasn’t a drill. We screamed, heading like a tsunami out the door to shelter. Oh, keep us safe, I willed.

*The next day*

I walked across the debris on the sand with my siblings’ hands in mine. We boarded the government evacuation boat, because this storm, no, this wild tempest destroyed everything. A strange feeling boiled in my chest as I locked eyes with one of the bullies. Tears stained her face, and I felt sick when I noticed her mom was missing. My stomach fluttered again, and as the boat streamed over the sky-blue sea, the pastel pink and yellow colors on the horizon bleeding to become one, I finally understood. With my family’s warmth right beside me, I realized that the truly important things in life, the ones that matter, are free.