I Looked A Crying Mother In The Eyes And Lied—Because The Crumpled Pharmacy Receipt In Her Purse Told Me A Truth She Was Too Ashamed To Say Out Loud

But I kept going.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, shifting my tone slightly, “but this item was already marked as paid.”

She blinked, confused.

“What?”

I tapped the screen lightly, pretending to check something.