My Mom Pressured Me To Take A Leave From Harvard Because My Sister Struggled To Finish School. I Refused — So They Told Me To Move Out. Years Later, When My Mom Faced A Serious Health Diagnosis, She Asked Me For Help With Treatment. I Only Said:

Hey, you seen the new pictures I sent from the store? She asked.

We got this horrible shipment of neon sweaters.

I swear someone in corporate hates me.

Did you empty the savings?

I cut in.

There was a pause.

Not long, just long enough.

I used what we needed, she said.

What do you mean we?

I asked.

That money was for school.

You said that was for school.

School is paid for.

She shot back.

You told me that yourself.

Scholarships, grants, whatever.

Meanwhile, rent is due now.

Groceries are due now.

Your sister had a slow month.

I got fewer hours because they’re cutting shifts.

Life doesn’t wait for you to finish your degree, Ava.

You could have told me,

I said, hearing my voice go thin.

You could have asked.

Asked what?

She snapped.

Asked if it was okay to keep a roof over our heads.

You’d have said yes and then gone to your little budgeting spreadsheet and had a panic attack.

I spared you that.

You didn’t spare me anything.

I said.

You just made the decision for me again.

Oh my god.

Not everything is about your autonomy,

she said the word clumsy in her mouth.

Sometimes adults have to make hard choices.

I didn’t blow it on purses and vacations.

I used it to keep this family from sinking.

By using the only safety net I had,Continue reading…