20
Not much stuff.
Leaving, Dad cried.
“Ashley, sorry.”
I looked away.
He put my bag in the car, to school.
I was quiet.
He gave me a credit card.
“Ten thousand, save it, it’ll last.”
I froze.
Was he trying to buy me off?
Maybe it was good.
“I’m sorry I failed you.”
<
I grabbed the card.
“Good.”
“I won’t be back there.”
He was red.
“Ashley, that’s not what I meant.”
“You know it, I know it. I’m not stupid.”
Jessica yelled my name.
I took a breath.
“I’m going. Go home.”
I dragged the bag.
Jessica said, “Your dad’s there, looking. He’s
crying.”
I put the bag on the steps, “He’ll be okay.
We’re done.
“Three months until the test, let’s study!”
Jessica nodded.
We studied.
Three months later, the test.
Jessica and I did well, above 700.
We were going to the good school.
I didn’t see Brittany’s name.
I was happy.
No more Brittany.
Time passed.
Three years.
We had another test.
Grandma died.
Mom divorced.
After a fight with my aunt, she came home.
She was relying on me.
She was being nice.
I went home, and she tried to cook.
I didn’t eat.
I threw her eggs to the dog.
After test results, she gave “advice.”
I ignored her.
She tried to hit me.
I stopped her, easily.
