14
Living with Dad, Sarah treated us all the
same.
That’s what Dad thought.
He told Sarah, “Thanks for everything.”
But things were different.
Kevin and Brittany got more allowance.
The clothes were the same brand, but mine
were cheaper.
Kevin grabbed the receipt.
く
He warned, “Don’t tell Dad.”
“These are the cheapest, but better than what
you had, right? If you didn’t live here, you’d
never have this.”
“Allowance? You get less. But you don’t buy
much. Mom gives you enough, right? Be
grateful, Ashley, you got that?”
Grateful?
They hurt.
He forgot, when we were little, he’d fight
anyone who hurt me.
Now he was hurting me.
Г
I looked down.
I gave up.
“I won’t tell.”
“Like you said, I’m a nobody, I should be
happy I get these clothes.”
He didn’t like that.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Mom took away some of your allowance, I’ll
give it back.”
“I don’t want to hurt this family. Dad, either.
You get it?”
He looked at me
He looked at me.
I shook my head.
I didn’t get it.
I’d never had a happy family.
He was angry.
“Whatever! You don’t understand.”
“If you mess up my family, I’ll never forgive
you.”
He ripped up the receipt, threw it away.
