Chapter 12
The people around us cast glances back and forth, their eyes sweeping over the two of them, up and down, dissecting them in silence.
My parents stood there, exposed under that gaze, suffocating in their own discomfort.
Only after letting them stew in it long enough did I finally take the umbrella from Mom’s hand. Without hesitation, I handed it to a classmate nearby who didn’t have one, then walked away without a second thought.
A car pulled up in front of me.
The back window rolled down, and Zack’s face emerged, his striking features shadowed by a hint of mischief. He raised an eyebrow. “Need a ride?”
“Sure,” I said.
I got in without looking back. As the car pulled away, I caught a glimpse of my parents, their faces drained of color.
In the distance, half–hidden in the corner, stood Fiona, her eyes brimming with envy and malice.
No matter what they did, nothing could turn things back.
One time, Dad even knelt before me.
I quickly stepped behind Grandma.
She picked up her new cane and, without hesitation, knocked him on the head twice. Bang. Bang. “Didn’t I tell you before? Don’t come crawling back to me, regretting it after the fact.”
Dad staggered to his feet, humiliated.
Mom stood helplessly beside him. Her voice was tentative, uncertain. “Jolene, what will it take for you to forgive me?”
I met her gaze and said, “You remember I have severe depression, right? The further I stay from you, the faster I recover.”
Dad pressed a hand to his bruised forehead. Mom started crying. “Jolene, I’ll take you to treatment. I’ll give you all the love I have.”
I watched them crumble under their guilt. Then I said, “I don’t want you. I just want money–a lot of money. At least two apartments.”
They hesitated, wavered, then agreed.
I didn’t choose either of them.
I chose the apartments.
One for Grandma.
The other, I sold for cash–money for treatment, orthognathic surgery, cosmetic procedures.
Nothing more.
I didn’t want to owe them anything. I didn’t want them holding it over my head, expecting gratitude, expecting me to care for them when they were old.
A
