After that, they cut me off financially. I lived
at school, eating dollar–menu meals, sleeping
on a cot in a sixteen–bed dorm. My
scholarship money barely covered the fees.
As I got older, the costs increased. I studied
day and night, desperate to maintain my
grades, to keep the scholarship, to survive. I
thought if I was good enough, smart enough,
they’d love me again.
I came home with a near–perfect report card, eager for their praise. A visiting relative
gushed about how smart I was. Mom scoffed.
<
gushed about how smart I was. Mom scoffed.
“She’s not that bright. Not half as smart as Jason. She must have cheated.” She slapped me hard across the face. “Who did you copy
from?”
My cheek stung, but the pain in my heart was
worse.
My teacher called to verify my grades. Mom just shrugged, glancing at the shredded remains of my report card in the trash. “Big deal. Jason got straight A’s. She’s nothing special.”
My heart broke along with the report card.
They wanted a Jason. Fine. I’d become Jason.
く
I buried myself in my studies. Heat rash in the
summer, frostbite in the winter, mosquito
bites year–round… I endured it all. Finally,
graduation. I could prove I was just as good
as Jason. Maybe then…they’d love me.
I died the day before my final exam results
were released. I never got to be their perfect
child.
I watched them fill Jason’s empty bowl,
heaping food onto it, talking to him. They’d been doing this for eight years. I’d broken
them. Maybe I did deserve to die.
A knock at the door. A familiar voice.
“Mom? Dad? Open up! I’m home! And I brought my wife!”
<
Dad’s hand trembled, and he dropped a bowl.
It shattered. Mom froze, tears streaming down her face. “Is that…is that…?”
Dad stumbled to the door, his hand shaking
as he fumbled with the lock.
He opened the door. A tall figure stood there,
silhouetted against the porch light. It was
Jason. My brother, who I’d supposedly killed
eight years ago.”
“Dad’s voice was hoarse. ““Jason…is that
really you?“”
Jason nodded, tears welling in his eyes.
““Dad, it’s me. I’m home.“”
Dad pulled him into a tight embrace, his
hands patting Jason’s back. “He’s alive! He’s
<
