2
486words
“Mom,stop talking nonsense!Rachel has good luck on her side.Her child will be healthy,and her boss knows what she’s talking about.If she says a Leo baby is the best,then she’s right.”
Rachel,surprised that quiet me was siding with her,didn’t question it.
She piled on,“Exactly,Mom.Stop scaring me with your old-fashioned superstitions.My kid’s nothing like the country brats you’re used to!”
Intimidated, Mom turned to Steven for help.
He played peacemaker.“Honey,Mom’s just worried about the baby.”
“Worried?Cursing my kid is being worried?If you and your mom don’t like it,I’ll go back to my parents’place!When my kid becomes a big success,making millions,he’ll take care of me and my mom.You two will get nothing!”
Rachel spoke as if her child’s success was already done.
I sneered inwardly,but outwardly,I kept pressing Mom.“Mom,stay out of young people’s business.Just take care of Rachel and help raise the kid.When you’re old,Steven,Rachel,and the kid will look after you.”
Afraid that Rachel would actually leave,she nodded reluctantly and took the pepper bags to cook.
I played the dutiful sister.“Rachel,I’m in a college dorm now,and I’ll rent my own place after graduation.You can turn my room into a nursery for the baby.I won’t need it.”
In my past life,I came home for summer to find my room already converted,forcing me to sleep in the living room for two months.
Now,offering it up was exactly what Rachel wanted.
She grinned.“Sarah,you’re a college-educated girl,so ereasonable.My kid’s lucky to have an aunt like you.”
I’d heard that the same line every time I sent them money.
I didn’t want that kind of “luck”anymore.
“As an aunt,I’m just a broke student,can’t offer much.Not like Mom…”I glanced at the kitchen,lowering my voice.“Last year,someone in town built a mansion and paid $30,000 for our land.I heard Dad left a nice savings account too.was exactly what Rachel wanted.”
“Rachel,pregnancy and childbirth are expensive.Cozy up to Mom—she’ll be good to you and the kid.”
Rachel’s face darkened.“Your mom lied,saying we’re broke!She’s hiding money,treating me like an outsider!”
“Good thing you told me,Sarah,or she’d have fooled me!”
I soothed her.“We’re family,no tricks.Mom’s only got Steven.She told me ages ago the money’s for you and him.Relax!”
Mom couldn’t read,so I helped her deposit that $30,000 from the land sale.
Later,when Steven got caught soliciting and blackmailed,Mom used it to keep it quiet.
Now,Rachel knowing about the money would make sure she got her hands on it early.
Let’s see who’d bail Steven out then.
After planting that seed,I returned to school.
That night,Mom called,furious.
“Youblabbermouth!You told Rachel about the$30,000,didn’t you?And lied about your dad’s savings?Now she’s threatening me, demanding the money!”
“I’ve got nothing!You said there’s $30,000,so you should give it to her!”
“All that education has made you stupid. I told you girls shouldn’t study.If you don’t bring $30,000 tomorrow,I’m cutting off your tuition and making a scene at your school!”
