He abandoned the idea of going out to search, slamming the front door shut as though to vent all his anger on it.
David paced irritably in the living room. Suddenly, his eyes landed on the punching bag.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
He struck it hard, each punch far stronger than Jason’s. The bag shook violently.
The impact tore through the canvas and slammed into my body.
Crack!
I thought I heard the faint snap of a rib. Agonizing pain surged through me, stealing even the strength to whimper. My consciousness began to blur…
In that haze, I saw my mother’s face again—Margaret Brooks smiling gently as she placed meat in Daniel’s bowl, while casting me only impatient glances.
“You’re the eldest, you should know better. That tuition-free state school is good enough. Graduate quickly so you can support the family.”
“Did you hear me? Don’t even think about going out-of-state for college. If you dare, I’ll break your legs…”
The admission letter from a top university crumpled in my hands, then slipped silently into the trash.
Later, I graduated.
My first paycheck was only $3,500. I sent nearly all of it home, leaving myself just $500 for living expenses.