"Thirty-two dollars and eighty cents? With change and everything, what's this supposed to buy?" Marcus said with dissatisfaction. "Enough for a couple of nooses, one for each of us."
Sophia looked troubled. "Cousin, this is all I could find. When I asked my mom for money, she scolded me. She said whatever I need, she'll buy it herself. I'm home all day—what reason do I have to spend money?"
"Cry! Make a scene! Do I really need to teach you something this basic?" Marcus chided lightly. "Besides, having your mom buy things works too—just get something practical. How can you be this old and still not think things through?"
A trace of embarrassed anger appeared on Sophia's face as she retorted, "I told you I asked her to buy food and rice, and she called me crazy! When I asked for crackers,
