Her parents had lived in that two room apartment for the past 27 years.  The kids had always slept on the couch and the family had never owned a dining table.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were eaten on the couch, which by now was irreversibly stained with everything imaginable.  But she’d been working for a few months now at the video store and had saved up enough for the tremendous gift.  It was one of those lift top coffee tables she’d seen advertised.  Even second hand, knew it would be perfect.  It would change their lives.  She lifted the top, and placed a faded tablecloth–when had it ever been used?–on top.  The water glass with dandelions made a perfect centerpiece.  Dinner would be served as if to kings.