Living next door to someone doesn’t mean you know their story. When I discovered my wealthy neighbor secretly working as a waitress and her backstory, I learned that first impressions can hide the most astounding truths.

Living next door to Veronica was like having a front-row seat to a fashion show. My glamorous neighbor, with her designer wardrobe, luxury cars, and perfectly groomed dogs, always seemed untouchable.

Every morning, I watched from my kitchen window as she emerged from her sprawling colonial house in outfits that probably cost more than my monthly mortgage payment. Her two Yorkies trotted beside her with their rhinestone collars glinting in the sunlight.

“Must be nice,” I muttered one morning, stirring my instant coffee while she climbed into her Mercedes SUV carrying a designer handbag. My own living room desperately needed new curtains, and there she was, probably heading off to spend more money.

I told myself I wasn’t bitter, but I often wondered what it would be like to have that much money. She and I would sometimes exchange quick nods when we passed each other, but that was it.

She didn’t seem like the warmest person, either; she had this way of looking through people like we were just background characters in her life.

Even her house and front yard made mine look like a dump, even though we were literally neighbors. Then came the incident that cemented my image of her as entitled and out of touch.

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I was watering my sad attempt at a garden when I heard her voice slice through the peaceful morning. I looked up and saw her standing in front of her house, berating a delivery driver.

“This is completely unacceptable,” she snapped. “You’re two hours late, and everything reeks.”

The young delivery guy was Tom, who I’d often seen around the area hustling for many delivery apps to pay for school. The poor man shifted from foot to foot at Veronica’s harshness.

“I’m really sorry, ma’am. The traffic was terrible, and—”

“I don’t want excuses,” Veronica cut him off. “I think—”

I couldn’t hear any more of her words as the garbage truck came roaring in, blocking my view too. Still, I smiled and waved hello to Charlie and Parker, the garbage guys, as they did their thing.

By the time they left, Tom’s car had driven off, but I saw Veronica shaking her head before returning to her house.

I shook my head, thinking, “Man, she’s so out of touch, it’s not even funny.”

The days passed in their usual routine. I walked my scruffy mutt, Buster, past her house every morning, while she drove off in her luxury car, probably to some fancy spa or charity luncheon.

But recently, I saw something that shattered my perception. My daughter Lily and I were walking downtown, window shopping and sharing a pretzel, when we passed this cozy little café with exposed brick walls and plants in the windows.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Lily squealed, tugging on my sleeve and pointing through the window. “It’s Ms. Veronica!”

I glanced inside and froze.

A waitress in a blue and white uniform was carrying a tray of coffee cups, her dark hair loose and wavy. She looked exactly like Veronica, down to the graceful way she moved.

But it couldn’t be her.

“Don’t be silly, honey,” I said, pulling Lily along. “Why would Ms. Veronica be working as a waitress? You’ve seen her house.”

Even though I told Lily it was silly, the image of my neighbor in that uniform lingered for a while. It was like seeing a unicorn in my backyard. I knew it couldn’t be real, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

A few days later, curiosity finally got the better of me. I saw Veronica leaving her house in a sharp business suit with a briefcase in hand.

Without thinking, I grabbed my car keys.

“This is crazy,” I told myself, following her Mercedes at what I hoped was a discreet distance. “I’m actually stalking my neighbor.”

As we drove past the gleaming office buildings where I assumed she worked, I reassured myself, “See? The waitress must just be her doppelgänger.”

But then Veronica turned right toward the commercial district. My stomach did a flip-flop when she pulled into the café’s small parking lot.

I parked at a spot close to the street and watched as she got out of her SUV. She opened the trunk and pulled out her blue and white waitress’ uniform.

As if sensing my stare, her eyes suddenly met mine, and her jaw dropped. The color immediately drained from her face.

“Oh, boy,” I whispered. Before I knew what I was doing, I was out of my car. Meanwhile, she closed her SUV’s trunk and walked toward me.

“Sarah?” she asked, her voice slightly wavering. “What are you doing here?”

“I… I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I followed you just now. My daughter and I… well, we saw you last week working here, but I thought I was imagining things.”

Veronica’s gaze flitted towards the café before returning to me. She looked down at her hands before asking, “Are you surprised?”

“Uh… yeah, a little,” I admitted. “I mean, you don’t exactly seem like someone who needs to work as a waitress.”

She smiled sheepishly, but I thought I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Come inside. I’ll explain everything.”

The café was quiet, with only a few early morning customers. Veronica led me to a corner table and disappeared briefly, returning with two cups of coffee and fully dressed in her uniform.

“My mother worked here,” she began as soon as she sat down. “For 15 years, she served coffee and eggs and dealt with grumpy customers, all to keep food on our table.”

I leaned forward, surprised by the revelation. I had assumed Veronica came from a rich family.

“After my father left, it was just Mom, my brother Michael, and me,” Veronica continued. “She worked double shifts here, saved every penny, helped us through college. She was… incredible.”

“Was?” I asked softly.

“She passed away when I was 25,” Veronica said. “Cancer. It happened so fast.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “Every year, on the anniversary of her death, I work here for a month. I take the same shifts she used to take. I also wear the uniform, like she did every day.”

“But why?” I asked.

“Because I never want to forget where I came from,” she replied. “I am who I am because of her. All my success is because of my mother. She only got to see a small glimpse of it at my graduation. She never got to see me climb the corporate ladder and become financially independent.”

I cringed inwardly, realizing how badly I had misjudged Veronica, considering she came from just as humble a background as me.

“Working here… it helps me remember her, feel close to her again,” she continued.

I nodded. “That’s beautiful. I never imagined…” I trailed off as a thought entered my mind. “Wait. The other day, you yelled at Tom. You know, the delivery driver. Why?”

“Oh, I remember you were watering your garden,” she nodded. “My mother taught me about respect and responsibility, especially when you’re working. Unfortunately, Tom was over two hours late with my order and reeking of smoke. I scolded him for having a bad work ethic. Maybe I was too harsh, but my mother’s standards are ingrained in me.”

“Wow,” I muttered. “I have to say that I didn’t expect this at all. I really misjudged you.”

“I see. You thought I was probably an entitled rich lady yelling at a poor boy while looking down my nose at everyone around me?” she chuckled.

“Honestly, yes,” I admitted, shaking my head but grinning.

“You’re not the only person to judge me,” Veronica assured me, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “It’s easier to see the surface. The cars, the clothes… are a part of me.” She gestured to her uniform. “But this is me too, and it’s just as important. And unless this café closes, I’ll keep doing it as long as I can.”

“Okay, then, I guess I’ll be coming here more often this month… if that’s alright?”

“Of course,” Veronica replied, standing and taking out her order pad. “What would you be having for breakfast today, ma’am?”

I grinned at her. “Your mom would be proud.”

“I know,” she nodded and took my order.

Later, I told Lily she was right about seeing Veronica at the café. She was thrilled, and so we started going there every once in a while.

After her mother’s death anniversary passed, Veronica and I actually became friends. Even when she was dressed in her power suits, she’d always greet me with a warm smile.

I’m not sure her Yorkies are too fond of Buster, they’re a bit snooty, but hey, at least now I have a friend to walk my dog with.