The Daughter They Threw Away

When I was eight, my parents decided to have another baby.

They said they wanted one of each—a daughter and a son.

Overnight, I went from their precious little girl to Ethan’s big sister.

From then on, their eyes stayed fixed on my brother.

They never looked away again.

Everyone said ninth grade was the most important year.

But every day after school, the first thing I had to do

was tie on an apron and head into the kitchen to cook for my brother.

My parents were both busy with work. Overtime was a regular thing.

Little by little, taking care of Ethan became my responsibility.