I live in a middle class suburb. We are surviving here, although I am not sure how, or how well.
Today, I absolutely had to buy a new pair of shoes.
School starts in a few days. (I work as a sub in a local district. With my 300 college hours and 3 degrees, it's the best I can do. Not that I'm complaining: It's good work. Wish it paid more, though.)
Well, I absolutely have worn my black flats to a nub, so I had to have a new pair. I went to a local discounter, and picked up a serviceable pair for 10 bucks.
The customer two places ahead of me had some sort of problem, so I had to wait. I looked around at the faces of the other people waiting in line. American faces of all sorts...young, old, black, brown and white, female and male.
You know what I saw?
Dark circles under every set of eyes.
Fatigue.
Somber expressions.
Not a smile to be seen.
At this point, I know it's just not me.