I Gave a Woman $6 to Help Pay for Baby Formula – the Next Day, My Manager Called Me over the Intercom and Handed Me an Envelope

She shifted the baby. We hugged.

It was a little awkward, a little tight, and weirdly right.

We sat.

“This is Eli,” she said, bouncing the baby lightly. “Your nephew, I guess.”

“Hey, Eli,” I said, letting him grab my finger.

“I’m your aunt Laura.”

Saying “aunt” felt strange.

Strange, and good.

We talked about Mary.

I told her how Mom always burned toast, cried at dog commercials, and sang off-key in the car.

How she was stubborn and funny and flawed, but loving.

Hannah listened as every detail mattered.

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