- 7.
Dad actually chased after me, asking where I
was going.
I stopped and looked back at him.
“You’ve wanted me gone for years. You think
<
I’m stealing everything that should belong to
Ashley.”
“Well, I’m doing what you want. Why do you
care where I go?”
Dad looked like he wanted to grab me.
“Where are you going to go? You’re just a girl! What if something happens to you? And
you don’t have any money! How are you
going to survive?”
I smiled, stepping back.
“When I was ten, you bought Ashley a cake,
and I was so hungry that I took a bite. You
and my brother got so mad that you kicked
me out. It was snowing. I was wearing my
pajamas. I huddled in the doghouse with the
dog so I wouldn’t freeze. Did you care if
something happened to me then?”
“Last month, you didn’t give me my
allowance. I had $2.80. I couldn’t even afford
lunch at school. Did you ask me how I was
going to survive?”
“I’m your daughter! You treat me like
garbage! I could die, for all you care! I’m
lucky to be alive! How can you disrespect
mom’s last wishes?”
I must have hit a nerve. Dad’s face went pale.
L
He started to say something, but he didn’t
know what to say. He just looked guilty.
Seeing that I was leaving, my brother grabbed
my arm and dragged me into the kitchen. He
poured me a bowl of seafood stew.
“Why are you being like this? You must be
hungry.”
CC
Ashley loves my seafood stew. But she’s
being stubborn. She won’t eat it. So you should have it!”
He held out the bowl, looking hopeful.
He must have forgotten that I’m allergic to
く
shellfish.
If I ate that stew, I’d be in the ER in thirty
minutes.
I didn’t take it. I just stared at him.
“Just throw it out if Ashley doesn’t want it. I
don’t want to end up in the hospital.”
My brother’s eyes flickered. He remembered.
“I’m sorry. I forgot about your allergy. What
do you want to eat? I’ll…‘
I cut him off.
L
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t be bothering
you anymore. I’m going to be an exchange student, starting next semester. You won’t
have to worry about me fighting with Ashley
for your attention.”
“And, I left an IOU on the table. Don’t worry,
I’ll pay you back as soon as I can. Our family
relationship ends today. I don’t want anything
to do with you ever again.”
Dad and my brother were stunned. They
looked like they just realized I was really
leaving.
Their lips were trembling. Their faces were
く
white.
“Sarah, what are you talking about? We can’t
let you go so far away! If you want to travel,
we can go with you…”
I didn’t have the patience to listen. I brushed
past them, pushed open the door, and walked
out.
As the door slammed shut, tears ran down my
face.
Even though I’d been disappointed so many
times, it still hurt.
They knew something was wrong. They just
<
didn’t want to care.
I wondered if they’d ever regret it. But I didn’t
care.
My future was wide open. I was going to live
for myself.
