I had a little school friend who lived in a house so large it didn’t seem real. She and I liked the same kind of gum (Fruit Stripe) and the same pattycake songs and that seemed to be the basis for our friendship. She had all these new dolls and toys, including a pedal car. It was so fancy I almost cried when I climbed into it during a play date at her house. Drove it around her patio for what seemed like hours while she jumped rope until her mom made us come inside for sandwiches and tea (also fancy). Her house felt safe. Her mom never yelled and nothing smelled like pot or cigarettes.