Marissa was ashamed because her mother only wore shabby clothes and she didn’t want to introduce her to her girlfriends. But a kind stranger taught her a big lesson she would never forget.

Marissa’s mom, Esme, raised her as a single mother when her father took off, and they never had much money to spend. Esme worked harder than anyone to provide for her daughter, but she had to scrimp a lot over the years.

Unfortunately, Marissa’s best friends were obsessed with clothes and social status, so she lied to them about her family, hoping they would never realize the truth or meet her mother. Marissa only wore great clothes because her mother was an expert thrift shopper.

Esme never bought anything for herself. She dressed in simple clothing, and her shoes were horribly tattered, but she refused to throw them away. Although she loved her mother, Marissa was ashamed of the way she dressed. But one day would change their lives…

“Hey, Mom. I’m going to the mall to meet up with a few friends. I’ll be back later,” Marissa told Esme one afternoon.

“Oh! How about I come with you? I haven’t been to the mall in ages!” she suggested.

“But you don’t like going to the mall. You always say everything is overpriced, and we shouldn’t buy stuff there,” Marissa added, hoping her mother would change her mind.

“Well, we don’t have to buy clothes to have some fun. And I want to meet your friends. How about it?” Esme continued.

“I guess…” Marissa mumbled. She couldn’t think of any reason to say no to her mother. But she was dreading this outing. When they reached the mall, she saw Rosie and Danielle waiting at Starbucks just like they agreed.

She rushed to them and left her mother who was walking a few steps behind. “Hey, girls!” Marissa said.

“Hey! You’re here. Let’s check out some clothes at this store right here,” Rosie greeted and suggested.

“Hmm… did you come with that lady? She’s looking at us,” Danielle said suddenly.