Chapter 2
My brother Logan slammed his hand on the table.
“Why should we cash in? Mom’s been just fine at your place. You’ve got no right to dump her on us.”
I stared at him coldly. “Because she’s your mother too.”
Logan’s face went red. “That’s different. You’re the oldest. You’re supposed to carry more weight. You’re just jealous. Mom gave us the money. It’s her money. She can do whatever she wants with it.”
I let out a short, bitter laugh. “Tell me, what do you think the money for her lottery tickets came from?”
Mom had no pension. Since I started working, I’d been sending her twenty-five hundred dollars a month. She spent most of it on lottery tickets every single day. Whatever was left, she passed on to the two of them.
Everyone knew.
Nobody ever said it out loud.
“So what?” Logan stammered. “Once you give it to Mom, it’s hers.”
Sienna chimed in, pouting like she was the victim. “Cashin, you’re being so petty. You make good money. This is nothing to you. You and Vivien could earn a million back in no time. Why are you even arguing over this? You’re the oldest. Could you just be a little more generous?”
I was so angry I almost laughed.
“I’m the oldest,” I said, “not the family ATM. If you don’t like it, we can settle this in court.”
The slap landed before the words had fully left my mouth.
A sharp crack rang through the room.
Everything went dead silent.
Mom lowered her arm, trembling. She looked at me like I had failed her completely.
“Cashin, when did you get so selfish? Your father made you promise to look after Logan and Sienna, and now you’re threatening to drag them to court. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
My cheek was still stinging, but I looked straight at her and refused to back down.
“Mom, I’m your child too. All I want is to be treated fairly.”
My eyes burned.
Years of built-up hurt spilled out with those words.
Logan snorted. “How old are you? Throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get enough? Mom gave you two dollars. What more do you want?”
Sienna jumped right in. “Exactly. I think you just don’t want Mom around anymore, and you’re using this as an excuse. Is this something you and Vivien cooked up together?”
Logan added, “You always talk about how well you treat Mom, but who knows what she’s actually had to deal with living with you? Why else would she give all the money to us?”
Fury burned through me.
I forced the words out through gritted teeth.
“Mom, have you suffered at my house?”
Mom’s eyes shifted away.
She turned her head and said nothing.
Logan got smug. “Mom’s staying at my place tonight. Tomorrow, you and Vivien can come over and apologize. Then take her back, or I’m reporting you to the police for elder abuse.”
Whatever hope I had left died right there.
“Fine,” I said flatly. “I’ll be waiting.”
Then I walked out.