All Before the New Year

It was New Year's Eve, and it was also my birthday. My mom called me first thing in the morning.

"Sheila, it's your special day! Why don't you pick up a cake and come over? We'll have a big dinner and celebrate," she said cheerfully.

Lilian, my sister-in-law, shouted from the background, "Make sure it's a fancy one with lots of cream. Andrew and Nelson love that!"

Mom quickly agreed, "That's right, Sheila. Did you hear Lilian? Get a nice one and don't be late. We will be waiting."

With that, she hung up.

I looked at the phone. The call lasted less than a minute. I felt a bit stunned but eventually grabbed my coat and headed out.

When I got there with the cake, my brother Patrick Chapman opened the door. He wrinkled his nose at the cake. "Is that all you brought? You should've brought something nicer for New Year's Eve dinner," he said.

I did not want to argue. It was hard enough to get that cake since I was too unprepared.

Lilian added, "Yeah, think of others for once, especially Mom, Andrew, and Nelson. You're being cheap!"

I noticed the bracelet on her wrist, the one I had recently bought for Mom's birthday. It should have upset me, but I just felt oddly calm. It was not the first time something like this had happened.

Mom peeked out from the kitchen, trying to keep the peace. "Let it go. Sheila can get a better one next time."

Lilian glanced back with a huff, "Watch that chicken noodle soup. Don't ruin it like you did before. Can't you be a little more careful?"

Mom exclaimed anxiously and retreated.

I saw everything and felt a bitter laugh bubble up inside me. At the dinner table, we had not even stuck candles into the cake that was meant to celebrate my birthday before Patrick's two kids gobbled it all up.

Mom said, "Andrew and Nelson are starting school next year, Sheila. Don't you think you should do something nice for your nephews?"

"Didn't I just give them some money?"

Lilian's voice got all high-pitched. "That was just a little NewYear gift. You're supposed to give that anyway. Don't try to confuse things!"

I finally raised my head. "So now, I'm supposed to pay for the kids' schooling too?"

The room went quiet, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

I took a breath and added, "I don't have that kind of money. If money's tight for you, maybe Patrick should find a job next year."

Then, with a loud bang, Patrick kicked a chair against the wall and slapped me hard across the face.

The slap dazed me.

Lilian kept serving veggies to Andrew as if nothing had happened, coaxing him to eat. Mom looked like she wanted to get up, but she hesitated.

Patrick's voice was like nails on a chalkboard. "What right do you have to boss me around?"

Then, he slapped me again. After that, he paused, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at me. It seemed like he was not done yet. He lifted his hand and gave me another hard slap.

"All these years, I've been the one taking care of Mom. I simply ask you for money, and you think you're so important? Ugh, you bring nothing but trouble! Consider these three slaps your lesson!"

Lilian mocked me with her icy laughter. "Exactly, Sheila. We're just looking out for you. You're not married, and when you're old, you'll need Andrew and Nelson, your nephews, to take care of you. If you don't help out the family now, how can you expect them to take care of you later?"

Their words bounced back and forth like a volley, each one dripping with sarcasm. The pain was sharp and spread across my face, which was reflected on the shiny tabletop.

My face was red and swollen, with even a hint of blood. I looked so ugly right now. I looked up at my mom.

She dodged my gaze. And after a moment, she looked at me with a mix of annoyance and blame.

"Sheila, this is your brother's house. Why can't you be more understanding and not make your brother angry today? Are you happy now that you've caused such a mess?"

I forced a smile, stood up, and headed for the door.

Patrick's angry voice followed me. "She's nothing but bad luck. Let her go far away! If she ever comes back to my house, I'll slap her again!"

I shut the door behind me, and the loud insults were cut off instantly. His house? I was the one who bought this house for Mom's retirement. They took it over without a word to me.

However, what they did not know was that the name on the title deed had always been mine.