If she wasn't gripping my brother so tightly, you might think she really wanted me with her.
"Fine, Mom, I'll stay with you," I replied with a firm smile, keeping my eyes on Karen.
The gravity of my words seemed to hit her hard; her eyes darted around, and she quickly shut up.
"Thought so," I smirked inwardly.
"What's with that smirk? You think that's how you talk to your mom?"
Karen snapped, her fury nearly palpable.
I closed my eyes, suppressing the storm within. I wouldn't let her see my resentment, my anger, or my disappointment.
She didn't deserve that.
Back then, Dad really wanted custody of me.
After all, I was the ever-compliant child.
But that day, I lost it. I cried, threw fits, and even told him he was a no-good cheater, not deserving my custody.
It infuriated him enough to insist on taking my brother instead.
Mom grew to despise me too, blaming me for separating her from her beloved son.
She seemed to forget one thing, though.
"Your dad, that lowlife, probably has someone on the side. He hasn't been home in forever!"
That was her constant refrain in my ear.
I felt so sorry for her. She needed me, and I felt it was my duty to protect her.
Yet, I never stopped to ask why.