Come on Brother!

a P

er the assignment that had consumed my evening. It was

excitement was palpable, and I wondered why she was home early. wasn

I said, not lookin

d, a hint of annoyance in her voice. I chuckl

sked, finally meeting her gaze. My

t today." I was taken aback - she usually wouldn't h

said, returning my

ling ring that sparkled on her finger. The flashy gems

p into the education fund Dad set up for me to buy that...t

rking beneath. "Why are you so bitter? Do you think I'd jeopardize your education?"

believing chuckle, m

questionable decisions before, like that bet

'm sorry, I just thought the money would

nd, letting the tens

make sure it wasn't bought with my school fee

to catch on," she

steal it? Or did you buy it on installme

s, but I didn't care. It was just l

name, and he had to pay for them for months," I reminded her. "So

e laced with desperation. "Do you really think your mother is inc

y expressio

you got drunk and came home late? And how you didn't come home yesterday and didn't

glimmer of remorse. "I'm sorry, Aria. I know things have g

o be friends with me because of you. Why are you so selfish?" Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as

felt a mix of shock and relief. "We're finally getti

ildhood here, the thought o

for us?" I asked, curiosit

across her face. "He proposed, and we're getting married

news. "I'll have a brother?" I aske

der tightening. "You'll have the

" I asked, my mind r

ce. "We're finally leaving this place behind. We'll

ho said my father isn't enough? Who said I wanted

y. I knew she had been seeing those two men, but I thought she was just usi

ke care of you. This is the best way I can think of," she s

k. "And this is really the best life you can

. You should be happy for me, and for us.

ipping with sarcasm. "Wow,

everything. "Yeah, a new father, right

your new life, baby," she s

sement. "So, tell me, Mummy, which of your boy

I was in a lighthearted mood. "I broke up w

the one who proposed?" I aske

sheepish gri

pping with insincerity. "He's wealthy and has all the qualities of a good fa

, but tears quickly

er. "We both know the truth. You did this for yourself, so you can show off to y

face reddening. "I'm your mother, a

st. This was the real her, benea

h you," I said, turning my

"Just try me! You have no one else but me, and I'll ma

houted back, "I'm over 18! I

have access to your father's trust fund, and without my approval,

my room, slamming the door shut behind me. I rested my

with a mother like her. The thought of being tied to her fo

dad and me. We had taken it together, just before he left for work

are falling apart," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Did you hear what she sai

addy, your baby girl Aria is lost. I need you. Please, just do someth