ad didn’t want me to stay here and was going
to send me to some college.
Ms. Lin said that a prize would give me a big
boost of confidence.
Maybe it would help if I was going to apply
abroad.
Jake was great.
He knew a lot of band members and said he
was going to pay them to come and play.
I was in class all day.
At night, I went to Jake’s house.
They said that emotions were the most
important.
I started to smile more.
<
I forgot what time it was that night.
Dad was in the band.
He was angrier than I’d ever seen him.
“Why are you with all of these people at night?”
“Can’t you see that we’re studying English?”
Dad didn’t believe me.
“You’re not my daughter anymore. I’m not going
to pay for your school anymore. You’re going to
learn how to work!”
I looked at Jake. “So, he doesn’t want to be my
dad anymore. I think I’m going to need a loan.”
Jake smiled and said, “I can do better than loan
you some money.”
<
“I’m not like those parents who pay for their
adopted daughter and pinch pennies when it
comes to their own.”
Dad got even angrier.
He realized that he couldn’t control me
anymore.
- 17.
I moved closer to school.
Jake had a house there.
The vocal coach and other teachers would go
there.
I spent my evenings practicing with the band.
I felt fulfilled.
<
Mom was uneasy and brought new clothes and
food.
“Ashley, your dad didn’t mean anything by it.
Why don’t you just forgive him?”
I said, “Easy come, easy go.”
“It’s better if I’m not home, so you can love
Brittany.”
“She doesn’t compare!”
“But Brittany said that you custom made a
dress for her.”
Mom looked uncomfortable.
“I asked her to keep it a secret.”
“It’s fine! I really don’t care. I can’t control who
you want to love.”
“And, parents who don’t love their own child
shouldn’t expect the same back.”
Her voice cracked.
“Remember when you used to hug us and cry if
we didn’t go somewhere?”
“Why are you being so cold?”
“Does having amnesia mean you’re just
throwing everything away?”
I asked her to leave.
“It was you who walked away. When you
decided to treat your adopted daughter better,
you killed that girl.”
“Some loves, you need when they’re here.
There’s no need to give them later.”
Mom was crying
Г
Ms. Lin asked me, “Ashley, we’re having an
anniversary at school. Would you like to be in
it?”
Most of the students were going abroad.
I used to have bad grades.
Dad thought that I would lose face if I stayed
here.
Ms. Lin said that if I won, it would give me confidence.
894
It might even help me get into schools to apply abroad.
Jake was really great.
