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Her acne-prone skin was a mess—red,swollen,with pus-filled pimples and sores at her mouth,painful when she spoke.
“Sarah’s right,”she hissed,wincing as she touched her sores.“My boss is in the same prenatal class as me.I put up with her nonsense at work,and yesterday,she had the nerve to order me to get her water.”
“We’re both pregnant—why should I bow to her?Her kid won’t outshine mine!”She grimaced.“I need that private course to get one up her!”
“And that crib?Too cheap.My coworker got a better one for her child…”
Mom shot me glares,her hands trembling.
She’d wanted me to stop Rachel’s spending,but I was pushing her to splurge more.
In my past life,Rachel griped that the $2,000 class was too basic,the $800 crib was substandard.She was obsessed with outdoing her coworkers and friends,always comparing her kid to others.
Mom,avoiding the villain role,sent me to reason with her.Rachel ignored me,cussing me out while Mom watched silently.
This time,I was smarter.
I hyped Rachel up.If she wanted the stars,I’d encourage her to reach for the moon too.
I didn’t live there,pay,or lift a finger.Talk was cheap.
While Rachel called to upgrade to the private course,Mom pounced,twisting my arm.
“You little troublemaker!I told you to bring money and talk her out of this.Where’s the cash?”
“You’re encourage her on,ruining her!”
The pain was so intense that tears welled up in my eyes.
I dug out $250 from my bag,handing it over.“My classmates are broke.This is from my part-time job—$8 an hour.It’s all I’ve got,Mom…”
I didn’t mention my real tutoring gig—$300 an hour.
I played the role of the desperately poor.
Seeing Rachel hang up,I squeezed out tears,raising my voice.“You’re being stingy with my nephew,but he’s not like other kids.He’s born for greatness!We have to give him the best start,no matter the cost!”
Rachel,catching this,asked,“What’re you talking about?What cost?”
Mom hesitated,then tested,“That private course—$7,000 a month for a baby not even formed yet?Isn’t that too much?The $2,000 one seemed fine.”
“You know nothing!It’s not your money!”Rachel snapped.
True—Mom’s money was already Rachel’s.
She spotted the $250 in my hand.“Sarah,are you begging Mom for cash again?I’m pregnant—we can’t spare handouts for you!”
“No,no,”I said.“This is from washing dishes at the cafeteria.I get meals and this pay.I want to do something for my nephew.”
“When he’s a big shot,he can help his aunt out.”
Rachel beamed,flattered.“We’re family.Keep your money for now.When you’re working,then you can spoil him!”
“My son will definitely take care of you.You’re way better than his cheap grandma.”
