Inside the jacket
The day my brother was diagnosed with vocal cord polyps, an unprecedented argument erupted in our house.
Five million in penalty fees, five hundred thousand for surgery.
For a family already crushed by my medical expenses, these were astronomical numbers.
Mom pointed at me huddled in the corner of the sofa wearing headphones, breaking down in tears:
"Why wasn't he the one who went mute back then? Why does one have to be mute, and the other has to become mute too!"
My brother Liam stormed out, slamming the door. Before leaving, his eyes red, he looked at me coldly:
