Chapter 54: A Small Problem
Chapter 54: A Small Problem
A ham, tomato, and egg sandwich is undoubtedly better than plain bread.
That afternoon, a group of young men strolled down the street, holding freshly made ham and egg sandwiches from the bakery. Their faces radiated happiness.
They were poor, and for the poor, even when they could afford ham and egg sandwiches, they wouldn’t usually buy them. Spending fifteen cents on something that wouldn’t fill them up made less sense than spending five cents on something more substantial. Life wasn’t romantic—especially when you were poor.
If someone told you that poverty could be romantic, you should consider what they covet about you. Is it the boundless possibilities your path represents, or the vulnerability they could exploit?
Life’s challenges weren’t just about surviving hardship but also protecting your thoughts and principles.
For these twenty-something-year-olds, who considered one-dollar-per-pound beef a luxury, tasting ham for the first time was a revelation. Even the thin slices in their sandwiches filled them with new hope for the future.
“This is amazing,” Ennio exclaimed, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. “I’ve never had anything like this. It’s even better than I imagined!”
He stared at his sandwich. “I can’t describe this flavor—there’s a smoky taste and another unique aroma that keeps filling my mouth.”