I Cut Ties With a Broken Home
At ten years old, my parents divorce, each remarry, and abandon me to be raised by Grandma.
When we see each other again, it's the summer after the College Entrance Exam.
Mom and Dad both walk into the restaurant to book private dining rooms, and it just so happens to be my turn to seat the guests.
Mom links arms with her stepdaughter, Alesha Callen, and smiles proudly as she instructs, "My daughter scored a 625 in the College Entrance Exam. We'll take your biggest room."
Dad, holding his son Robby's hand, claims the room right next door.
"It's my son's seventh birthday. We'll need a large room, too."
They lock eyes for a brief moment before quickly looking away.
Mom chuckles. "Throwing such a big birthday party for someone so young? You certainly spoil him."
"Your daughter's the impressive one," Dad replies politely. "She's got a bright future ahead of her."
And yet, neither of them recognizes me—their biological daughter and Jethroville's top scorer in this year's College Entrance Exam.
I wipe the grease from my hands and carefully note down their requests.
Mom orders a table full of seafood, saying that it's Alesha's favorite.
Dad hands over a birthday cake he baked himself, instructing me to place it in the fridge.
Just before they walk off, Mom asks offhandedly, "What about the other one? I haven't heard anything from her at all. Did she fail the exam?"
Dad blinks. "I have no idea. She hasn't contacted me."
I don't bother looking up. I just continue replying to a message from the real estate agent.
Once I sell the old apartment Grandma left me, I'll finally be able to go somewhere far, far away with absolutely nothing holding me back.