- 2.
Ethan hated our loser dad, hated how he
wrecked our supposedly happy family.
Dad was a gambling addict who got debt
collectors who broke into mom’s office.
Arrests for fighting.
Our house reeked of Mom’s anger.
We never had a complete set of dishes.
Then, Dad died right in front of me.
L
Then, they hated me.
I got kicked out of the police academy for
assault.
I was lower than Dad.
I got a tattoo of a black rose on my
collarbone, and pierced every place I could.
I ran petty scams when I was broke.
Ethan caught me once.
He was disgusted.
r
I grinned, sucking on a lollipop.
“Or you could give me money, big bro?”
Ethan disowned me.
Mom stopped talking to me.
When Mom died, he made Mia hold her
picture.
I wasn’t worthy.
Fine.
Were they?
L
When I was ten, Mom brought Mia home
without even asking me.
She had the nerve to ask me to call her my
sister.
Mia was an orphan whose parents died in a
car crash.
Mia said, “I’m hungry,” and Mom took the
pork chop right off my plate.
I burst into tears.
Ethan got mad at me for the first time.
L
“Jenny, how can you be so selfish? Show
some compassion!”
Dad tossed his cigarette and stood up.
He grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.
“Let’s go get some real food.”
Mom yelled from behind.
“Don’t make a scene! You’re useless!”
Dad ordered me a bowl of wonton soup.
He didn’t add anything extra.
What a treat!
I blew on the scallions and Dad grinned.
That’s when Mia got adopted.
Dad’s opinion didn’t matter.
I was my dad’s daughter, and I wasn’t afraid
to say what I thought.
Mia always called them “Mommy” and
“Ethan” nicely.
I would always give in to her and go out for a
burger with my dad.
<
I would always give in to her and go out for a
burger with my dad.
Northwestern winds could fill me up, truly.
- 3.
