The neighbor's voice shook with emotion: "When you started elementary school, your father wanted to pull you out. Your mother divorced him without a second thought! Said she'd never let anything get in the way of your education!"
I yanked my hand free from Mom's grip. "That was her choice. It's compulsory education—she can't use that to guilt-trip me."
Aunt Naomi let out a theatrical sigh. "Every penny your mother had went to your tutoring classes. Her own clothes? Begged from charity, door to door. But every one of your school uniforms is brand new. She starved herself to make sure you'd never feel ashamed in front of your classmates."
I laughed. "A mother who can't even afford to buy clothes for her kid? I'd rather she never had me."
The livestream exploded.
[Ungrateful wretch!]
[Sucking her mother dry just to get top grades!]
[Look at how she's dressed—clearly no good. Hair that short, can't even tell if it's a boy or girl. Probably runs with a bad crowd.]
That last comment shot straight to the top.
Mom sobbed through her explanation: "Doris used to be such a good girl..."
The reporter cut in. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Young lady, what's your reasoning for saying that?"