The mother-in-law invited 20 people to eat, but only gave her daughter-in-law 100 pesos for the market. When he lifted the lid of the plate in front of everyone, the entire table fell silent when he saw what was inside…

“Maria, come here.

I approached.

She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a small wad of crumpled bills. Then he put them in my hand.

“Go to the market and buy everything for food.”

I looked at the money.

Small bills.

Too small.

I counted them.

One hundred pesos.

I thought something was missing.

“Just… this?

Doña Carmen looked up and her eyes turned cold.

“Is that not enough?”

I felt a lump in my throat.

“Mom… twenty people come.

She let out a short, dry laugh.

“In my day, fifty pesos could be used to make a banquet.

Then he leaned a little towards me.

“Good daughters-in-law know how to manage.

The words fell on me like stones.

I looked out over the courtyard. Diego was still outside, talking to the neighbors. He seemed to hear something of the conversation, but he didn’t go in.