Chapter 2
Mom, why are you always like this? Jason is your child, but aren’t I your child too?[]
Why do you always favor him? You give him whatever he wants, but what about me? I’m the one who takes care of you, who would wipe your ass if needed. I don’t even care about your inheritance anymore–I just want a single word of affection from you!
Standing in the corridor, I trembled, tears threatening to spill over. []
God, how I wanted to burst back into that room and demand answers.
But I couldn’t.]
Looking at my mother sitting up in that hospital bed, my heart overflowed with hurt and confusion. []
I’d never understood why, throughout my entire life, she showered Jason with affection while treating me with such coldness.
I remember when Jason and I were in elementary school together. Every morning, Mom would prepare Jason a hearty breakfast–eggs, bacon, fresh fruit–while I made do with whatever leftovers I could find.[]
Once, I gathered the courage to ask “Mom, why does Jason get eggs and milk while I only get toast?”
Without even looking up, she responded, “You’re the older sister–you should learn to put your brother first. He’s still growing and needs the nutrition.”
I lowered my head and silently chewed my stale bread, swallowing my hurt along with it.[]
By middle school, I’d become an excellent student, consistently ranking at the top of my class. I thought if I could just achieve enough, she might finally look my way.
How wrong I was.
I remember racing home with a perfect test score, bursting with excitement to share my accomplishment.
“Mom! I got a hundred percent on my test!” I announced breathlessly.[]
She was peeling an apple for Jason, and barely acknowledged me with a distracted “Mmm” before continuing her task.[]
“Here you go, sweetie,” she said, handing the perfectly sliced fruit to my brother. “Eat up–fruit is good for you.“[]
I stood frozen, my test paper suddenly feeling like a lead weight in my hand. Watching her tenderly wipe juice from Jason’s chin, something inside me shriveled.
After that day, I stopped sharing my achievements with her.
Ow
