“What a joke! My daughter makes over $1,400 a month. She even bought a white Mercedes this month. For her, that’s just half a year’s salary; no big deal.”
I laughed and said, “Aunt Virginia, the interview list for this year’s provincial civil service exam came out two days ago. I checked it; there’s no one with a surname Gildon listed for any job in the city’s Finance Bureau. My cousin’s name isn’t there at all… unless he changed his last name.”
The table went silent. Virginia’s face turned red, then pale.
I looked at Madison and said, “Aunt Madison, that white Mercedes my cousin showed on WhatsApp; was it an A180? Last month, my classmate and I saw the same model at a used car market. It was nine years old with 170,000 kilometers, priced at $2,500 and still negotiable. So that’s what counts as half a year’s salary for my cousin. That’s quite high.”
Madison’s teacup clattered onto the saucer, splashing tea all over the table. A few seconds later, Virginia jumped up and pointed a finger close to my face. “What nonsense are you talking about? My son passed the written exam, but the interview list isn’t out yet. What do you know?”
Madison slapped the table, spilling even more tea. “Exactly! What my daughter buys is none of your business! It’s a Mercedes-Benz, a luxury car! How could it cost only $2,500? That’s cheaper than a minivan! You’re just a college student who hasn’t even graduated. What do you know about cars? You’re just jealous!”
The other relatives started talking loudly all at once, like a buzzing hive.
“How can he talk like that…”
“College has made him arrogant. He even dares to talk back to elders now.”
“He’s got such a sharp tongue.”
“Yeah, Virginia and Madison used to spoil him.”
“Young people these days have no respect for elders…”
I waited for them to quiet down, then said, “Aunt Virginia, the civil service interview list is public. The Finance Bureau section shows all the names and exam numbers. If you don’t believe me, I can send the official link to the group. We can all check whether my cousin’s name is there.”
Virginia’s face went from red to pale and she said nothing. I then turned to Madison.
“Aunt Madison, the sale record for that Mercedes A180 is on several sites. The latest transfer was on the 15th and it sold for $2,300. I even have the dealer’s number. We can call and ask if my cousin was the buyer.”
Madison’s chest rose and fell quickly as she pointed at me, stuttering “You… you…” but couldn’t finish a sentence.
A usually quiet uncle frowned and said, “Tristan, even if you’re right, you shouldn’t talk to your elders that way. Your parents are here. It’s disrespectful.”
I looked at him calmly and said, “Uncle, respect goes both ways. When they mocked my parents and me in front of everyone, were they being respectful?”
The table went silent again. My dad, who had been quiet, suddenly shouted, “Enough! Just because you got a job doesn’t mean you can talk to your aunts like that! Show some respect for your elders!”
My mom tugged my sleeve, pleading, “Tristan, say less. Apologize quickly and it’ll be over.”
