Chapter 10
So this was the boy Caleh liked? I curiously looked him up and down, but after just one glance, I couldn’t help but frown.
The guy had four or five facial piercings, and his pants were so West Coast baggy they dragged on the ground. That would have been finis choice and all–but what really put me off was his sleazy gaze that screamed trouble.
As they approached, Caleb looked uncomfortable and, remarkably, softened his tone.
“Sis, don’t tell Mom about my boyfriend, okay?”
I agreed immediately, my face full of encouragement.
“Caleb, boyfriend or girlfriend–if you’re happy, that’s what matters. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word to Mom.”
My response left Caleb looking completely stunned. He asked me, “Why? I thought you’d object.”
1 patted his shoulder and said generously: “I’m your sister. Of course I want what’s best for you.”
In that moment, he gave me the first appreciative look of his life.
From that day on, with both our parents out of the house, Caleb began dating openly.
Several times when walking back from the hospital, I’d pass through the neighborhood park and catch them making out under the trees.
What could I do as his sister?
Support him, of course!
So I didn’t breathe a word to our mother, who lived for her son and dreamed of him marrying and giving her grandchildren.
As for our father, he never came home, and even sent divorce papers to Darlene in the hospital.
That very day, I went to bring Darlene her meal as usual. When I opened the door, I found her throwing and smashing things around the room like a madwoman.
When she saw me, she seemed to find her target and lunged straight at me.
“You worthless bitch! This is all your fault with your stupid ideas! If you hadn’t pushed me to catch them in the act, would your father be divorcing
me?”
Her eyes were red with fury, like she wanted to devour me whole.
I stepped back to avoid her slap and tried to calm her down.
“Maybe Dad’s just too angry right now. Once he cools off, he’ll come back.”
That seemed to work a little. Darlene cursed under her breath as she lay back on the bed, but still warned me: “It better be that way. If your father really goes through with this divorce, I’ll skin you alive!”
It seemed the universe heard her sincere plea–my father never filed for divorce after all.
Because he was dead.
The day he passed, he even made the local news, though in the most undignified way.
According to the report, he had driven into an underground parking garage to have sex with his mistress in the car. They left the engine running with the air conditioning on and the windows up, causing carbon monoxide to build up to lethal levels. When they were found, they were completely naked and already dead.
When Darlene heard the news, she completely fell apart. Having just been discharged, she was quickly readmitted to the hospital.
The doctor sternly warned that my mother couldn’t handle any more stress, but I didn’t relay this warning to her. I just arranged for her to be hospitalized again and resumed my role as her caregiver.
Tamil.. Tried to Bury Me So I Burned It All Down!
15.0%
int my father a sudden death and the manner of it to Darlene chattered and hittas. Since the object of her hairyt terve area
all blame onto me. Whenever she saw me, she’d hit and kick me, screaming and crying.
It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t pushed me to catch them, he would have come home. Even if he was still sleeping with that cramp at lever? gone to a hotel instead of hiding in that car.”
“Why couldn’t it have been YOU who died?”
Obviously, my father’s death pushed her hatred for me to new heights. So, when summer ended, she forcibly took my two months wages and refused to pay my tuition or living expenses, forcing me to take out loans.
After securing financial aid, I immediately found part–time jobs when school started. Thankfully, I had secretly changed my college preference to somewhere far from home, allowing me a peaceful first year.
But then one day, Caleb suddenly sent me a bizarre message:
[Sis, I’m about to turn 18 and I’m going to pursue my own happiness and future. Take good care of Mom.]
