10
^
IU
After pouring out the pesticide, we went
home.
Mom was awake.
Seeing me, she breathed, then sneered.
“Not dead yet?”
I didn’t answer.
Annoyed, she went to my room.
“Ashley! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Answer when someone talks to you, that’s
how I raised you?”
She never taught me anything expecting me
く
She never taught me anything, expecting me
to be the perfect kid.
Head down, I said, “Yeah, I didn’t die. You
disappointed?”
She was angry.
She tried to hit me.
I didn’t move.
“Go ahead, kill me.”
She looked at me, stopped.
She ran.
