 Penguin Random House Audio presents Such a Fun Age by Kylie Reed, read for you by Nicole Lewis. We definitely wait for birthdays or even an ice cream, like my daughter has to earn it. Yesterday we promised her an ice cream, but then she behaved horribly and I said, then I'm sorry ice cream is for girls who behave, and that's not you today. We tomorrow. Rachel Sherman, uneasy street, the anxieties of affluence. Part one. One. That night when Mrs. Chamberlain called, Emira could only piece together the words, take Briar somewhere and pay you double. In a crowded apartment and across from someone screaming, that's my song, Emira stood next to her girlfriends, Zara, Josepha, and Shawnee. It was a Saturday night in September, and there was a little over an hour left of Shawnee's 26th birthday. Emira turned the volume up on her phone and asked Mrs. Chamberlain to say it again. Is there any way you can take Briar to the grocery store for a bit? Mrs. Chamberlain said, I'm so sorry to call, I know it's late. It was almost astonishing that Emira's daily babysitting job, a place of pricey onesies, colorful stacking toys, baby wipes, and section dinner plates, could interrupt her current nighttime state, loud music, body con dresses, lip liner, and red solo cups. But here was Mrs. Chamberlain at 10.51 p.m., waiting for Emira to say yes. After the veil of two strong mixed drinks, the intersection of these spaces almost seemed funny. But what wasn't funny was Emira's current bank balance, a total of $79.16. After a night of $20 entrees, birthday shots, and collective gifts for the birthday girl, Emira Tucker could really use the cash. Hang on, she said. She set her drink down on a low coffee table and stuck her middle finger into her other ear. You want me to take Briar right now? On the other side of the table, Shawnee placed her head on Josepha's shoulder and slurred. Does this mean I'm old now? Is 26 old? Josepha pushed her off and said, Shawnee, don't start. Next to Emira, Zara untwisted her bra strap. She- Sample complete. Ready to continue?