Pricing Every Hug in a Loveless Home

My teacher, Ms. Alice Hudson, gave me a star sticker.

It shimmered under the light, resting on the back of my hand like a real star.

The other kids lifted theirs up to show their moms, but I didn't. I carefully peeled mine off and tucked it deep inside my pocket.

I kept my fist clenched around it all the way home while my mind raced.

My father, Henry Malone, had taught me that everything needed to be evaluated to offset against my "education budget".

How much was this sticker worth? Ten cents? 20 cents?

I was nervous. If I guessed too high, Dad would say I was being dishonest. If I guessed too low, I'd be letting Ms. Hudson down.

When I got home, my mother, Esme Lowe, was mopping the floor.

I ran over, dug through my faded bear purse, and fished out a single coin before holding it out to her.

"Mom, I want to buy a hug," I whispered.

Something flickered in Mom's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She straightened up and opened her arms.

I leaned in.

One second.

Two seconds.

She pulled back, took the coin, and dropped it into a glass jar sitting on the kitchen sill. A thin layer of coins was already resting at the bottom.

Dad was sitting on the couch. He glanced up for a second before looking back down at his phone.

"What did you accomplish at school today?" he asked, his eyes glued to the screen.

Nervously, I pulled the star sticker from my pocket and handed it over.

He took it without a word of praise, snapped a picture with his phone, and uploaded it with a note. "Educational ROI: Non-monetary asset x1, valued at an estimated 20 cents, to be deducted from educational expenses."

I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thank goodness, my estimate had been pretty close.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Mom went to answer it. Aunt Sophie Lowe and my older cousin, Howard Nash, were standing at the door.

"Esme!"

Aunt Sophie scooped me right off the floor and planted a big kiss on my cheek. "Look at you, my sweet little boy! I missed you so much!"

I went rigid.

Aunt Sophie's hug was warm. It wasn't rushed like Mom's, and she didn't count the seconds in her head like Dad.

But… But this hug was way too expensive.

I squirmed out of her arms, scrambled behind Mom, and tugged at her apron. "Mom, how much does Aunt Sophie's hug cost? I don't have enough money. Can I put it on credit?"

The smile faded from Aunt Sophie's face. She stared at me in total shock, then turned her gaze back and forth between Mom and Dad.

Howard was only a year older than me and couldn't read the room.

He ran over and shoved an action figure into my hands. "Here, Kevin, you can have this!"

Panicking, I shrank back and pulled my bear purse tightly against my chest. "I can't just take your things for free."

"Henry! Esme! Look at what you've done!" Aunt Sophie finally blew up. Her finger trembled as she pointed at Mom and Dad.

"Are you insane? You're turning this child into a monster! This is a home, not a company!"

Dad adjusted his glasses and said, "Sophie, you don't get it. This is our progressive parenting philosophy. We're teaching him self-reliance so he won't take advantage of others. It'll give him a real edge in the world."

"Self-reliance? An edge?" Aunt Sophie let out an angry laugh.

"He's four years old! He needs unconditional love, not your damn transactional exchange!"

Mom caught Aunt Sophie by the arm and muttered quietly, "Come on, Sophie, calm down. We have our own way of doing things. Just stay out of it."

Aunt Sophie looked at Mom with sheer disappointment.

The argument ended in a complete mess.

Aunt Sophie turned to leave with tears in her eyes, but before she went, she crouched down and secretly slipped me a piece of candy.

The wrapper sparkled brighter than anything I had ever seen.

She lowered her voice and said, "Listen to me, Kevin. What I give you is love. And love is free."

I squeezed the candy tightly in my fist, utterly bewildered.

Love… was free?