Martier nodded, still too stunned to speak. Distraught, she decided to confide in her friend. "Claudette, I don't have the money to buy shoes. These are the only ones I have." She would never be able to afford these clothes. It was insane that she would be wearing five thousand dollars' worth of clothes!

Claudette smiled. "Come on dear, we're going shopping."

"But I don't—"

"Have money," Claudette interrupted. "I know. Consider this a loan. You'll pay me back ...