That summer she turned nineteen, the light and shadow of the season were so vivid that Ashley stopped looking down at her own poverty. She had found her best friend-a girl named Lily. At twenty-two, her best friend Lily got engaged. At twenty-three, at her own birthday party, Ashley became a thief. The moment her hand reached for that expensive platinum handbag, a man was watching from the shadows. When he stepped into the light, what filled his eyes was contempt and disgust. He said, "So you're Lily's friend." Only then did she realize this man was Lily's picture-perfect fiancé. In that moment, every mean, petty, ugly part of her was laid bare under his gaze.