But she accepted it and just complained
about me wasting money, not a trace of joy.
One relative said, “Of all the kids in our
Г
generation, your eldest daughter, Mandy, is
the most promising. She has a Master’s,
works in public service, she’s capable and works hard! You’re very lucky.”
Mom’s grip on the gold bracelet tightened,
and her eyes glazed over a little.
She probably had finally remembered I
existed.
Brittany suddenly looked sad. “My sister is
indeed amazing, but she is never home. She
didn’t even come back for Thanksgiving, nor
for my wedding…”
“”
She trailed off, looking as if she had been
hurt.
Mom’s face went cold. She took off the gold
<
bracelet and put it back in her bag.
“Let’s not mention that unfilial thing. It’s a
great day today, let’s eat and enjoy
ourselves.”
Brittany took a sip of her drink, a subtle smile
playing on her lips.
See, she always had ways to destroy every
chance I had of winning my mom over.
When I was little, my mom wasn’t that bad to
- me.
After all, I had spent 10 months in her womb. I
was connected to her by blood.
I remember one of my birthdays, my mom told
me she was going to give me a gift.
L
I waited eagerly all morning.
Mom smiled and pulled out a little skirt:
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
A cute pleated pink skirt. What little girl
wouldn’t love that?
Brittany had so many, and I finally got my first
one.
I was overjoyed, hugging the skirt, twirling
around.
“Thank you, Mom. I love you so much!”
I expressed my feelings with so much
passion.
Mom’s eves unknowingly turned red. She
<
touched my cheek with guilt.
“You’re so well–behaved, Mandy. Next
birthday, I will get you another one.”
I nodded hard, my cheeks flushed with joy.
But then Brittany walked over, and she just
said quietly:
“My sister is so lucky. I wonder if our other
sister would also have received such a pretty
skirt if she had survived.”
Mom’s eyes instantly changed from
tenderness to cold resentment.
She snatched the little skirt and cut it to
pieces with scissors.
<
“Your sister lost her life, and you dare to
wear new clothes? What gives you the right?”
The fabric fell to the ground, and I wailed with
pain.
“No, Mom, please don’t, please don’t cut it!”
But it was useless.
The skirt was cut to shreds, and thrown at my
face.
I held it in my arms, like I was holding my own
broken self.
Brittany walked over and smiled at me, a
nasty smile.
I asked her, tears in my eyes, why are you
L
doing this to me?
She just smiled and answered while she
licked her lollipop: “Because I don’t like you. I
don’t want anyone in the family to like you.”
“Mom and Dad, and Kevin. I don’t want you
to steal an ounce of their love!”
From then on, they wouldn’t call me when
they went out to play, the kids‘ gifts never
included me, and even in family photos, they
cut me out.
As she had wished, I received no love from
my family.
I became hysterical and angry like a crazy
person and then I’d cry in my bed at night.
<
I’d tried to be a people–pleaser, put on a
smile, and worked for them like a servant.
I only wanted a little bit of their attention.
Even just a little.
But I was still ignored countless times.
I was struggling in an abyss of lovelessness.
I had nobody!
The Truth Unfolds
The wedding was over, and Brittany went
home to their new place with Chris.
