I was thrown out of the house with nothing but humiliation and two hundred dollars to my name, forced into a life of endless struggle… until the day I dropped dead delivering food.
But this time, I didn’t argue.
I drew in a deep breath, lifted my head and calmly met my father’s furious gaze.
“Okay, Dad. I understand. But before I go, there’s one thing I want to ask you.”
My voice was steady and composed. “When Leroy graduates, will you treat him the same way you’re treating me now?” I paused. “Will you kick him out too, hand him two hundred dollars and tell him to make it on his own?”
For a moment, the living room fell into the deathly silence.
My father froze, then his face darkened with rage.
Leroy’s smile stiffened; he instinctively straightened his back.
Then Linda’s sharp voice cut through the air.
“Leo Crowe! How could you say something like that? What does this have to do with your brother?”
Like a provoked lion, my father lunged forward.
“You ungrateful brat!”