The Child Who Came Back

1

"What’s one plus one?"

On the highway, my brother Sam suddenly asked.

I hesitated. "It's..."

Before I could finish, my mother flew into a rage and slapped me hard across the face.

"I have a master's degree. Your father has a PhD."

"Your brother is a math prodigy who gets perfect scores every time, and you have to hesitate over one plus one? You’re nothing but a useless waste!"

My cheek burned. Terror flooded my chest.

I shook my head, crying: "Mom, please don't hate me. I'm not useless. Sam said-"

But she wouldn't listen.

She pushed me out of the car