Broken Ties, Broken Home

My hand closed instinctively into a fist. After I loosened my fingers again, I folded one back.

“Keep going!”

My cousin, Amara, was trying very hard to make the game feel livelier.

After a few more rounds, it was Tyler Posner’s turn again.

“Mom put $200,000 in my bank account. She said it’s so I have some financial security.”

His tone was casual, but his words assaulted my ears.

My relatives’ gazes drifted from me to Mom.

I folded a second finger back. I felt its icy tip against my palm.

Mom still did not look up.

The game of “Never Have I Ever” kept going, but the whole vibe had changed.

My heart beat slowly in my chest. It sent a dull ache through my body with every beat.

Tyler spoke up again. This time, his tone of voice was challenging. “When I was sixteen, Mom secretly took me on a trip to Disneyland, and we played all day. It was just us, and no one else knew about it.”

Memories surface in my mind.

It was my junior year, and there had been an exam at school. When I got back, Mom and Tyler were nowhere to be found.

When I called her, Mom said she had taken Tyler to the library.

I had studied in the empty house until late at night. I had even made them both food.

“Mom,” I said, my throat dry, “didn’t you say—”

“On, come on! It’s been years since then,” Mom said loudly. “Skyler, come and help me with the food. Stop playing around!”

I did not move.

I glared at Tyler and said bitterly, “You knew. You always knew that she loved you more. She forced me to be the sensible one, the excellent one, and the one who carries the burden of our family’s expectations and responsibilities.”

Tyler tilted his head. “Sky, it’s just a game. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Really?” My voice shook. “Growing up, you never committed to anything. You picked things up and gave up on them. You never learned any skills. Now I know why. You didn’t need to!

“You had a backup plan because you had Mom looking out for you. You didn’t need to work hard at all to have a sense of security.”

“Skyler!” Mom’s voice was sharp. “What are you talking about? Come help me now!”

I still did not move.

I let out a bitter laugh. “You always said you wanted to help me manage my finances, but you were giving my salary to Tyler, weren’t you? You always bragged about how much I had achieved and how responsible I was, but that was also useful for you to take care of Tyler, right?”

Mom’s face went red. “How can you talk to me like that? I worked so hard to raise you and pay for your schooling…”

“But Tyler only needs to exist to get all your love.”

I finally said aloud the thought I had buried for years. I have never dared to admit it to myself before.

The dining room fell as silent as a crypt.

All our relatives ducked their heads, acting as though they had not heard anything.

Tyler sighed softly and stood up. “You’re always so strict, Sky. Mom loves you, but she does so in a different way.”

“What way would that be?” I asked. “Is it by demanding perfection from me without quarter and allowing you all your willfulness?”

Mom lost her temper. “Are you trying to ruin Christmas, Skyler?! Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for this family.”