My Mom Said, “Everyone Will Get Something Small.” My Boy Got Socks. My Sister’s Kids Got Phones. He Asked, “Did I Do Something Wrong, Mommy?” I Just Hugged Him. That Night, I Smiled… And Removed Everyone From My HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

The math didn’t even make sense. If they were contributing $1,500 and Bethany and I were splitting the rest, why would I owe $2,200? But that was typical of my father. Numbers were whatever he needed them to be to get what he wanted.

I thought about my savings account—the one I had been building for Lucas’s future, for emergencies, for the security we didn’t have. $2,200 would wipe out nearly a third of it for a party for my brother—the same brother who couldn’t be bothered to show up for my son’s birthday.

Something hardened in my chest. A decision—forming, sharp and clear. I had spent my entire adult life trying to be the good daughter—the reliable one, the one who showed up and paid up and never complained. Where had it gotten me? Sitting alone at my kitchen table while my son asked if he’d done something wrong.

Continue reading…