Relationship between Lauren and Kalina

In the short story “The Path to Heaven” by Mary O’Donnell, Lauren and Kalina share a friendly relationship, although it is marked by a sharp awareness of their differences in age, social status, and cultural backgrounds. 

Lauren is very aware of her own privileged social status, as an educated and successful writer with a good income (l. 62). Kalina is younger and her family struggles financially because of their immigrant status: “What could Kalina do, with two children, no money, limited English?” (ll. 88-89). Kalina’s disadvantaged position comes across in her relationship with Lauren, as she speaks limited English: “she would make a sucking gesture with her mouth, and smile shyly.” (ll. 30-31). 

There is also an age difference since Lauren is “as old as Kalina’s mother in Sobibor” (l. 42), but...