Cheap Kinship
Chapter One
My eighteenth birthday, the day my twin
sister, Lily Carter, cruised around town in her
brand–new BMW, with Mom and Dad and
their pampered poodle in tow.
المدرجة
Meanwhile, I sat on the curb outside my own
house, slurping down a cheap ramen noodle
cup.
Mrs. Davis, our nosy neighbor, leaned over
the fence, her eyes wide with envy. “So,
what’d you get for your birthday, honey? A
sports car too?”
I swallowed the last bit of broth, wiped my
mouth with the back of my hand, and let out
a bitter laugh.
“A leukemia diagnosis, and a two–thousand-
dollar ‘severance package‘ from my loving
parents.”
They couldn’t afford my treatment, and they
<
certainly weren’t letting Lily donate bone
marrow. So, they kicked me out.
Little did they know, it was actually Lily who
had leukemia.
1
Before my eighteenth birthday, Mom made
Lily and me write down wish lists.
It was the first time in my life Mom ever
asked me what I wanted.
My blood was boiling; I could barely hold the
pen.
I’d just written the seventh word when she
snatched the paper and pen away.
“Carolyn Miller, you’re insatiable!”
“Lily got so much more done in the same
time, why couldn’t you even write down one
wish?”
“Are you trying to bleed me dry? Well, tough
luck, you’re getting nothing!”
I lowered my head, biting my lip to hold back
<
certainly weren’t letting Lily donate bone
marrow. So, they kicked me out.
Little did they know, it was actually Lily who
had leukemia.
1
Before my eighteenth birthday, Mom made
Lily and me write down wish lists.
It was the first time in my life Mom ever
た
asked me what I wanted.
==
My blood was boiling; I could barely hold the
pen.
I’d just written the seventh word when she
snatched the paper and pen away.
“Carolyn Miller, you’re insatiable!”
“Lily got so much more done in the same
time, why couldn’t you even write down one
wish?”
“Are you trying to bleed me dry? Well, tough
luck, you’re getting nothing!”
I lowered my head, biting my lip to hold back
<
“Mom, I didn’t…”
My tears spilled over like a dam had burst.
Mom was busy online shopping.
Most of the items on Lily’s ridiculously long
wish list were already checked off.
Mine was crumpled in the trash.
Lily leaned against Mom’s shoulder.
She pouted regretfully and added a few more
items to her list.
Mom not only didn’t get mad but also
encouraged her, saying she could wish for
anything.
I wiped my tears and scoffed inwardly.
Carolyn Miller, eighteen years of being
unwanted; you should be used to it by now.
I decided that once I got my acceptance
letter, I’d escape this icebox of a home.
On my birthday, I huddled under the covers,
blasting my music.
Still, I couldn’t drown out Lily’s squeals of
^
delight as she opened her presents.
Suddenly, I got a text about a package.
I thought it was my acceptance letter and
rushed to the post office.
But the ticket to my new life turned out to be
a death sentence.
When I got home, I found several gift boxes
blocking my bedroom door.
Those were Lily’s unopened gifts.
In front of the full–length mirror, Mom bent
her back, worn from old injuries, meticulously
selecting an outfit for Lily.
I glanced at my side of the closet. A few
shirts and faded jeans.
Barely enough for a single outfit.
My dad sat quietly sipping tea amidst the
scattered gift boxes.
The last time I saw him was a month ago.
He’d flown back from overseas overnight to
celebrate Lily’s birthday, abandoning a huge
project.
With a downcast face, I shuffled towards him,
holding the test results.
But his eyes were only on Lily.
“My sweet Lily, you’re worn out from opening
gifts all day! Take a break, sweetie, don’t
make Dad worry.”
He checked the temperature of the tea and
brought it to Lily’s lips.
Only after several minutes did he spare me a
glance.
“Your mother told me you haven’t made a
wish yet.”
“What do you want? Just one thing, nothing
extravagant; I don’t want to spoil Lily’s
mood.”
He thought I was there to ask for a gift.
Resentment welled up in my chest.
Lily and I are twins, but why does she get
everything she wants, while even a single wish
from me is a privilege?
I remembered my unfinished wish list.
So, I changed my only wish into a last wish.
“Mom, Dad, I have leukemia. The doctor said I
need treatment immediately. Can you…”
11
Can you just look at me, say something kind?
I just wanted… a little extra love.
But the sound of a shattered teacup
interrupted me.
(
“Dad, it’s burning! You must have been stingy
because I asked for too many gifts, trying to
kill your own daughter!”
Lily pretended to be angry, playfully sticking
out her tongue and fanning her mouth.
Mom glared at me and rushed to give Lily
some water to rinse her mouth.
Dad, in a panic, stumbled several times,
shielding her hand to his chest, apologizing
repeatedly.
How ironic.
When I got the test results, I secretly hoped.
Maybe Mom and Dad would show some
sorrow and heartache for me.
Now, I laugh at my own stupidity, for
expecting my biased parents to suddenly love
- me.
I swallowed the rest of my words.
Mockingly watching everything unfold before
- me.
Maybe in their eyes, I don’t deserve to make a
wish.
Written down, it’s trash.
Spoken aloud, it’s silenced.
