Brother worked part-time for years, saved every cash for graduation automobile. One move by our stepdad snatched the money and ruined his ambitions. We broke.
Our stepdad thought he’d gotten away with it, but retribution struck. I’m Hazel. My age is 20.
If you had told me six months ago that my brother would attend his graduation party without the automobile he saved for two years, I would have laughed and said, “No way. He deserved that.”
People like our stepdad don’t think “earned.” They consider what can be taken without consequence. Not only are Scott and I siblings.
Best pals. “You’re my favorite person in the whole world, Hazel,” he told me last month, lying across my bedroom floor after another hard day at his part-time job. Rolling my eyes.
What about Marcus? Or Tyler? You two are nearly inseparable.”
Shaking his head.
“Nah! They’re great, but you understand. You see through deception.”
Scott and I have that issue.
We’ve learned to spot deception, especially with Steve, our stepfather. After our parents divorced, we kept the house warm. Mom married Steve six months after the divorce papers were signed, and we were already suspicious.
Scott accused her of infidelity. “I’m not saying I know for sure,” he stated one night. That timeframe doesn’t make sense, Hazel.
It doesn’t.”
I couldn’t dispute that logic. Everything seemed weird from the start. “Maybe we’re overthinking it,” I add.
“Let’s just get over it.”
“You’re right. We should focus on our lives “Sighs Scott. He started saving for an automobile in junior year.
Every penny from his part-time grocery store job went to his automobile fund. Watching him count those crumpled bills night after night with hopeful eyes. “I’m almost there,” he said, flattening twenties and twenty.
“I just need a little help to get over the finish line.”
They shot him down quickly when he finally had the bravery to ask Mom and Steve for aid. “We’re not a bank, Scott,” Steve said, staring at his phone. Want a car?
Earn it.”
“I’ve been earning it!” Scott’s voice broke. “I want 10%. End of story.
You resolved Hazel’s automobile issue last year.”
Mom said, “That was different,” visibly annoyed. “How?” Scott commanded. “How is it different?”
Steve eventually looked up.
“Because I said so.”
Then arguments became worse. Loud and vicious. You can hear every word through the walls.
Scott visited my room after a heated disagreement. He had crimson eyes. I can’t continue, Hazel.
I must stop pleading.”
Seeing him broke my heart. “Once I’m stable, I’ll help you cover the rest if they don’t.”
Hugging me, he cried. “You owe me nothing.
You’ve done enough. Being in my corner matters most. I’ll work this out myself.”
Months passed.
Scott worked hard. He saved and hoped. Mom and Steve suddenly changed their minds.
Mom said, “We’ve been thinking,” during supper. “Maybe we can help with the car after all.”
The fork froze halfway to Scott’s mouth. “Really?”
“Really,” Steve remarked, and I swear his eyes were calculating.
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