No Free House
At my daughter's high school graduation party, she greeted me with a bouquet containing her wish list.
"My dearest Mom!
"My life truly begins at eighteen!
"This is the first step toward rebuilding my social image and starting an entirely new life!
"Thank you, Mom, for supporting me completely!"
The list tucked into the bouquet included the newest phone, tablet, laptop, and earbuds.
Together, the smaller items cost more than five thousand dollars.
But the final line, printed in bold red letters, stabbed into my eyes like the point of a knife:
Helena Abernathy must give Chloe Collins a house free of charge. The property will be for Chloe's exclusive use, and no one else will be permitted inside.
I stared at the bouquet, while the soul that had died unjustly in my previous life trembled inside my body.
Last time, I carried that bouquet home and tossed and turned all night.
In the end, I still tried to discuss it with my daughter. "Chloe, about the house... I truly can't afford it right now."
"Could we possibly..."
Chloe was silent for three seconds before accusing me through tears.
"I knew it! You never loved me. You only love yourself!"
My photograph, address, and workplace were posted across social media.
Then came the online attacks, the doxxing, the red paint splashed across my door, and the suspension from my job.
When I stood on a rooftop, unable to endure the abuse any longer, the people below kept recording and shouting:
"Jump! If you aren't guilty, why would you jump?"
This time, I looked down at the bouquet in my arms and smiled. I didn't want the list.
And I didn't want this daughter anymore.