“I paid four dollars for a worn shawl,” I said.

“I had to meet Vanessa without my name changing how she behaved.

I needed you to see how she treats people who have nothing to give her.”

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the empty road.

“Look, it worked,” Ethan said.

“She didn’t recognize you until I came out onto the patio with my champagne.

She thought you were nobody at all.”

“Money is a shield, Ethan.