sake, not yours. Let’s go shopping.”
I went to my mom and begged
her to give me money to buy
something to wear for the dance.
She finally relented and gave me
2,000 rand, for one outfit. It was
the most money she’d ever given
me for anything in my life. I told
Bongani how much I had to spend,
and he said we’d make it work. The
trick to looking rich, he told me, is
to have one expensive item, and for
the rest of the things you get basic,
good-looking quality stuff. The nice
item will draw everyone’s eye, and
it’ll look like you’ve spent more
than you have.