Unmasking Their Lies

he employee discount was fantastic, and it gave me a steady stream of income that I funneled di

saw it as an opportu

oor chimed and my mother swept in, with my father shuffling behind her. David was supp

led out, her voice far to

Mrs. Gable, looked over with a raised eyebrow. I

What are you g

tarted picking up items at random-a set of expensive German pastels, a block of I

asking me loud, inane questions while customers were waiting. My fa

ublic demonstration that

this disruption, Eleanor corne

to a conspiratorial whisper, "this is a nice little

This art thing is fine for now, but you need a real car

had shifted from sabotaging my art to trying to redirect my entire life. They wanted me in a "sen

dy art in college," I

performance for my father and

he world is so competitive. We want you

and keep me in their cage. I clenched my fists behind the counter, my nails digging into my palms. I forced myself to breathe, to keep my fa

concern," I said th

hed tactics. Her eyes welled up wit

red, her voice cracking. "Everything we do, we do it out of love for you. A

"Now look what you' ve done, Ava.

, her expression a mixture of pit

acating smile

words tasting like ash in my mouth. "I' m just

uickly as they had appeared. H

ice family dinner and talk all about

misplaced products and awkward silenc

alright, dear?"

forcing a shrug.

' re a good worker, Ava. Don' t let anyone tell you

indness alm

ned out my life, a future I had no intention of living. I agreed th

ating. I had enough saved for a bus ticket and the first mo

ey wanted. I was makin