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