The protagonist in this story yearns for the comfort and familiarity of her grandmother's cooking.

She
feels a deep sense of loss since her grandmother has passed away, and food no longer provides her with
the same level of comfort that it used to. She struggles with the idea of eating expensive food and feels
inauthentic without her grandmother's home-cooked meals. As a result, she turns to processed and
comfort foods to satiate her cravings.

One of the most vivid memories she has of her grandmother is when they went shopping together. Since
they were poor, they had to follow a strict list and purchase only the essentials. Despite this, everyone
they encountered told the protagonist to be a good girl to her grandmother. These interactions
showcased the underlying societal belief that being poor is a character flaw, which can lead to shame
and embarrassment.

The protagonist's life becomes even more complicated when she realizes that she is gay and has feelings
for Jacqueline. Although they were close, they eventually grew apart after Jacqueline insulted her for
being poor. This experience left a lasting impression on the protagonist, and she struggled to reconcile
her identity with her economic status.

The protagonist reminisces about the days when she and her grandmother would eat donuts from
Dunkin Donuts. She recalls her grandmother eating alone in the restaurant and wonders if she enjoys her
own company at those times. She also wonders if her grandmother ever felt ashamed for indulging in
things that made her happy, knowing how much they cost since they were poor.

Later on, when her grandmother is in a nursing home, she no longer has any teeth and finds the food
tasteless. She always asks the protagonist what she eats and if she's eating well. Despite her
grandmother's concern, the protagonist always lies to her. However, when her teacher forces her to
reveal the truth about her eating habits, she tears up the note about the importance of eating healthily
that her teacher writes for her grandmother.

The protagonist also questions the stereotype of expressing love through cooking. Growing up,
processed foods were a symbol of love for her, unlike the traditional idea of taking time to prepare meals
from scratch. When someone comments on how lucky she is to be able to eat unhealthy foods, she
realizes how much her economic status affects her diet.

Towards the end of the story, her grandmother calls her from the nursing home and asks her once again
if she's eating well. The protagonist is unsure of how to answer, torn between talking about her job, her
life in New York, her sexual identity, or her shame about her eating habits. The story ends with the
protagonist eating a donut, reminiscing about a conversation she had with a man who mocked her for
eating it due to its sugar content.