Chapter 3

I naively believed having one more person in the house wouldn’t change much.

I kept going to school and coming home, happy and oblivious.

Just like before, I poured out every funny thing that had happened at school to Mom.

I was so caught up in talking that I never noticed her eyes hadn’t left my brother’s face.

“Mom, we’re having another family field day. What should we sign up for this time?”

“The three-legged race or jump rope?”

It was the third time I’d asked.

Only then did she look up at me.

Her arms tightened around my brother. “Natalie, I’m going to sit this one out.”

“Your brother is still so little… He needs me.”

Upset, I tugged at her sleeve.

“But you said family field day was fun. You said you wanted to do it again.”

“Mom, didn’t you say you loved playing with me?”

She pressed her lips together and looked at my sleeping brother.

“Natalie, you’re getting older. You need to be more understanding.”

Understanding. Always understanding.

Ever since my brother was born, that was the word I heard most.

They all seemed to have forgotten I was only eight.

My chest ached. I raised my voice.

“It only happens once a year. Everyone else’s parents will be there.”

“Didn’t we promise?”

Maybe I was too loud. My brother stirred.

He began to cry softly. Mom, who had still looked a little torn, frowned and pushed me away.

I stumbled and landed on the floor.

Her voice turned much colder.

“Can you act like a big sister for once?”

“It’s just some school event. I said I’m not going. Pestering me won’t change anything.”

“Have you finished your homework? Go do it.”

That line again.

Whenever she didn’t want me around, she found some excuse to send me away so she could have peace and quiet.

Watching her gently pat my brother, I finally understood how foolish I’d been.

So Mom found my endless chatter annoying now.

So Mom no longer cared whether I’d hurt myself when I fell.

Slowly, it sank in.

Mom seemed to belong only to my brother now.