Finally reaching out to grab my brother, I said,
“You too! Why are you so hot-headed? Can’t you just talk to your sister calmly? You actually hit her!”
My brother crossed his arms and snorted coldly. “Would she understand if I talked nicely? She just doesn’t want to give me the money!”
My mother gave my brother a perfunctory pat and turned to persuade me:
“Lily Lane, I don’t mean anything bad, but do you really have to argue with your brother over such a small amount?”
“You don’t need the 10,000 dollars. If he wants it, just give it to him!”
“Your brother wants to transfer your nephew to a private school. He and your sister-in-law are struggling. Think of it as helping them out!”
“You only have one nephew. Shouldn’t you treat him well?”
“How about this? Mom will advance the 10,000 dollars for you, and you can pay me back later!”
I was about to explain that money doesn’t work that way when the door opened.
It was my sister-in-law returning with my nephew. He was holding a new Transformers toy. His eyes lit up when he saw me. He dropped the toy and ran over, hugging my legs.
“Auntie, didn’t you go shopping with Grandma? Did you buy me my favorite imported chocolate?”
He rummaged through my pockets.
When he found nothing, his face changed instantly.
“You didn’t buy me anything?”
“Hmph! You’re a bad aunt!”
“Go away! I don’t want you in my house!”
He kept pushing me, and I stumbled backward, hitting the chair and falling hard to the floor. My daughter rushed to defend me. “Don’t push my mom!”
But my nephew stood with his hands on his hips. “I pushed her, so what? She didn’t buy me anything! Stingy! Go drink cold water!”
My sister-in-law stepped forward, pretending to scold him but pulled him close, looking at me with disdain.
“It’s not Jack Lane Jr.’s fault for being rude. How can an aunt be so stingy to her own nephew?”
“You know he loves the chocolate you always buy him. It’s not that expensive!”
“Not that expensive?”
I had a friend bring it from abroad. A small box costs six or seven hundred dollars.
Even my own daughter doesn’t get it often.
But because my nephew likes it, I always bring it when I visit my parents.
This time, I didn’t because my friend went back home, and no one could get it for me.
My mother came over, helped me up, and took my nephew’s hand, placing it in mine.
“Alright, alright, no need to fuss as a family. Lily, take your nephew to the snack shop and buy some treats. I’ll cook your favorite dish at home!”
It was the first time my mother had spoken to me so kindly—
even saying she’d make my favorite food.
Though I felt hurt, a faint hope stirred inside me.
People often yearn for the affection they lack as children.
I was no different. I wanted a sign of my mother’s love.
So, swallowing my bitterness, I whispered, “Mom, I want some boiled fish.”
My mother paused, then quickly nodded. “Alright, I’ll make it for you!”
On the way to the snack shop with my daughter and nephew, a thought struck me.
A fish costs about forty or fifty dollars. My mother just got out of the hospital—what if she had no money?
Thinking that, I took out my phone and transferred $1,000 to her WhatsApp. I sent a voice message:
“Mom, Lulu wants to try the chicken legs from downstairs. Buy a few too. Keep the rest for yourself.”
My mother accepted the money quickly and replied with a simple, “Okay.”
