“I’m allergic to seafood,” I say flatly.
Mom’s smile, freezes. “Oh. Sorry, honey. I
didn’t realize…”
L
Her eyes brim with tears, like I just kicked a
puppy.
Yeah, she didn’t know. Twelve years of being
her daughter, and she doesn’t know what I
like, what I hate, or what could send me to
the ER.
Truth is, I’m not allergic. I just find this
sudden attempt to make up for years of
neglect absolutely repulsive.
If you’re going to pretend to care, at least do
some research first.
I get it now. The Jones family remembers
everything. They’re burdened by guilt.
Seeing his wife cry, Dad wraps his arms
around her.
imp
<
He glares at me. “There are plenty of dishes
on the table. It’s not all seafood.”
I dump the fish and the rice it touched onto
the table.
“What’s with the attitude?”
Mom grabs Dad’s arm, making him soften.
“Rain, just let the maid get you a new bowl
You’re being rude.”
The rest of the meal goes by in a weird
silence.
From that day on, the Jones family tries to make up for everything in different ways.
Mom buys me clothes and jewelry nonstop. Dad gives me a black card to spend as I
L
please.
Lily clings to me, trying to be the perfect little
sister.
Carter chauffeurs me everywhere, smothering
me with concern.
I ignore their kindness, feeling suffocated.
I count the money they’ve given me, calculating how long it’ll last when I leave.
“Rain, are you a Jones?” a classmate asks.
“How come you were bumming money for the
bus?”
“And you couldn’t even afford school lunch. I thought you were broke.”
L
Everyone gathers around.
“Yeah, Rain, you wore those designer clothes
that didn’t fit. We figured you bought them
used to impress everyone.”
I smile and say nothing.
They were giving my allowance to Aunt
Zhang, my childhood nanny.
Zhang was two–faced and jealous of the
Jones family’s wealth.
Because I was unwanted, she abused me for
fun.
She stole my money and told Mom and Dad I
was wasting it.
To keep them from noticing her, she trashed
- me.
She also told me that nobody loved me, and I
could only depend on her.
I grew up insecure, quiet, and hated to talk.
I haven’t seen Zhang since I woke up in the
past.
When I get home that night, there’s a guy in
glasses waiting on the couch.
Mom says awkwardly, “Rain, this is a
therapist I got for you.”
“Why?”
Mom won’t look at me. “You’re distant. Quiet.
く
I think… you need to see someone.”
The nerve.
Why would she expect me to love them? To
act like I need their approval?
Carter adds, “Seeing a therapist is okay. Just
think of it as a normal conversation.”
Lily looks at me with hope.
Ice settles in my eyes. After a long pause, I
laugh.
“Because I don’t want to.”
