11
When Mom said those words, I thought she
was serious about divorcing Dad.
But it was a bluff.
Dad didn’t want a divorce, especially not in
front of all these people.
He wrenched his arm free. “Are you crazy? Always threatening divorce!”
Join the bookshelf
く
Relatives chimed in, urging them to make
peace.
Grandma, hearing the word “divorce,” knew
Dad wouldn’t find anyone else. She changed
her tune instantly.
“Linda, let’s talk this over.” She turned to
Dad, offering a few mild rebukes.
This was their usual routine. Brush it under
the rug and pretend nothing happened.
“Mark, if you want to stay married, pay
Jenny’s school fees.”
Morn laid her cards on the table. No more talk
of divorce, just the money.
Dad grumbled and reluctantly pulled out his
wallet.
He clutched it tightly, but Mom snatched it
away.
away.
She counted the money, then tucked the
wallet into her pocket.
She grabbed Dad’s sleeve again and dragged
him towards the door.
Dad shook her off, his face red. “Linda, do
you really think I won’t divorce you?”
Uncle Mark, seeing the situation escalating,
stepped in to restrain Dad.
“Two thousand dollars? That’s all you’ve got
after three months of work? If you don’t want
to stay married, let’s go to the courthouse!”
Hearing the amount, Aunt Sarah glanced
nervously at Ethan, who was eyeing the cake.
Dad muttered about Mom being
unreasonable, folding his arms and refusing
to speak.
When a man is in the wrong, he always
accuses the woman of being unreasonable.
Mom suddenly fixed Ethan with a fierce glare.
He flinched and hid behind Aunt Sarah.
Slowly, Aunt Sarah produced a red envelope.
It was Dad’s birthday gift to Ethan, containing
a thousand dollars.
I watched Mom count the red bills twice, a
bitter laugh escaping my lips.
Before we came, I’d hoped Dad had simply
forgotten.
When his promise to me clashed with Ethan’s
birthday, he chose Ethan without hesitation.
Seeing that thick envelope, I knew the truth.
He hadn’t forgotten. He’d never intended to
pay.
Mom took the money and said, “From now
on, you will give me your paycheck every
く
month.”
Dad scoffed. “Who do you think you are?”
Mom turned to the assembled relatives, her
gaze fixed on Uncle Mark and Aunt Sarah.
“Listen up. If I don’t get every penny of
Mark’s wages, I’ll come knocking on your
doors. Starting with you, Michael!”
Uncle Mark bristled, about to retort, but Aunt
Sarah stopped him.
She knew exactly how much Dad had spent
on Ethan over the years.
As we were leaving, my stomach growled. I
asked Dad, “Did you buy the cake for
Ethan?”
He glared at me but didn’t deny it.
