After finishing my last summer job before graduation, I returned home and planned to treat my parents and younger sister to a nice meal.
My parents had taught me never to pick at food, but my sister, Alyssa, ignored them, rummaging through her bowl for ages before flinging her spoon and fork aside.
“Lori,” she said, “sometimes I really think you can't compare to Alexia.”
I didn't understand what she meant.
She continued, “I don't get why you brought us out to eat. Are you trying to show off how easy it is for you to make money? Sure, you gave me a thousand-dollars, but in my eyes, you're still no match for my big sister. You're just so pretentious.”
I expected my parents to scold my sister, but it was my mother's words that pierced me completely.
“You earned 800 dollars working just a few hours a day? That easy? Did it really build your character? I doubt it's any real job. Look at Alexia—burning the midnight oil every night, that's real character-building. Work should be done with dedication. Go get a summer job for another month, at that warehouse near home.”
You can't enjoy blessings alone, but you must swallow every bitter pill.
Seeing my unhappy family, I should make a decision that pleased them all.
——
My dad lit a cigarette, staring at the household register and ID card I'd placed on the table. “Is this all it takes? You want your own household register now?”
Alyssa shot me a mocking look and muttered, “Pretentious.”
Then she stormed into her room.
“Lori, what are you up to now? You've always loved stirring up trouble since you were kid. Is that fun?”
I couldn't agree with that statement. The troublemaker had never been me—it's always been them.
After my summer job, I earned tens of thousands of dollars. I gave money to everyone in the family except to the eldest adopter sister, Alexia.
My parents kept urging me to give one to her, so I gave her a symbolic 520 dollars.
They thought I was stingy. I casually remarked, “Who earns money easily? Hasn't my sister been working for three years already? Besides, that dress I bought her wasn't cheap either.”
What kind of younger sister who gave money to her working older sister only from her own summer job earnings?
I never imagined such a small matter would be remembered until now.
When Alexia came home from work and saw us, she asked, “What's going on? Why so serious?”
My mom, who hadn't moved from her seat the whole time, practically shot up like a spring. “Why didn't you say you were off work? I would've ridden my bike to pick you up! You walked back again, didn't you?”
Alyssa heard the commotion and poked her head out from the room. “Sis, have you eaten? I'll cook something for you.”
She never lifted a finger when I was around—I even used to wash her underwear for her.
“Look how tired you are from work. Have some of Dad’s wine.” Just moments ago, she’d claimed work fatigue was good exercise.
Their chatter seemed warm and harmonious, but my heart felt like it was being stabbed with a knife.
After Alexia returned, they treated me like I was invisible. It wasn't until Alexia asked me during dinner, “Lori, come eat something too. It's already so late.”
Alyssa clicked her tongue and said in a sarcastic tone, “Big Sis, don't bother with her. She's a graduate student. She'll be making big money someday. How could she possibly care for the food I cook?”
“Alyssa, do you always have to speak with such sarcasm?”
The tension in the air thickened.
“Hold your tongue, Alyssa!”
Alexia immediately set down her spoon and fork, walked over to me, took my hand affectionately and said, “Lori, don't take it personally—that's just how she is.”
