Once the divorce was finalized, Jim was quick to head back to his overseas job.
He planned to send me to a boarding school, just like he had arranged for Johnny before.
But I refused.
When Grandma was still with us, she ran the household since Karen was mostly out playing cards, only coming home to eat.
When she won, she'd bring little toys for Johnny.
Picking him up, she'd coo, "Missed Mommy, sweetie?"
But when she lost, it was a different story.
I was her target, always finding some fault to yell about.
After blowing off steam, she'd lighten up and say, "Be good, Jessie. Mommy doesn't like it when you misbehave."
I was always good. I learned all the chores from Grandma, hoping it might make Karen love me a bit more.
By third grade, I was cooking full meals.
After Grandma passed, I took over all the chores.
So, looking after myself was no big deal.
Jim knew it too. He just gave me a bank card and set up a regular transfer.
That was enough. Love might be scarce, but at least I had money.
