Mandy took a bite of her sandwich. Turkey, cheese, and potato chips. Yum.

“Want to trade cookies?” asked Navir. “I have chocolate chip.”

“No way,” said Mandy. “Mine are gingersnaps. Homemade. Way too good to trade.”

“How about you?” Navir asked Ethan. “Want chocolate chip?”

“Uh, no thanks,” said Ethan.

“Why not?” asked Navir.

“Yeah,” said Mandy. “Why not? Navir’s chocolate chips are pretty good. What kind do you have?”

“I said no,” Ethan snapped. “I’m done anyway.” He stood up and walked away from the table.

Mandy and Navir looked at each other. “What was that all about?” asked Mandy.

“No idea,” said Navir. “But I didn’t see him eat anything, did you?”

 “No,” said Mandy. “Now that you mention it. He was just sitting here. Then he said he was done and left.”

“And he didn’t want to talk about cookies.”

“Nope.”

“Hmmm. Do you think he didn’t bring a lunch?” asked Navir.

“Why wouldn’t he bring a lunch?”

Mandy and Navir looked at each other again. They were both thinking about Ethan. Lately he’d been acting kind of weird. He didn’t like going outside at recess because he didn’t have a warm coat. He didn’t invite them over to his house. And when they asked him to go bowling he said he hated bowling. But he’d always liked it before.

“Do you think his family is having problems with money?” asked Navir.

“What do you mean?” asked Mandy.

“Well,” said Navir. “Maybe he doesn’t have enough money for a coat. Or bowling. And maybe he thinks if we come to his house we’ll notice.”

“Do you think he doesn’t even have enough for lunch?” Mandy asked.

Navir shrugged. It was sad to consider.

“Obviously he doesn’t want to talk about it,” said Mandy. “So what should we do?”

“Maybe we could talk to Mr. Brady,” suggested Navir. “The school counselor.”

“Good idea,” said Mandy. “Meanwhile, I bet he’d like a gingersnap.” And he did.