Empty Promises, Wasted Years

Dad's younger brother, Liam Graham, leaned back in his chair with a smile. "What's gotten into you? Did something set you off, or did you have another fight with your dad?"

I told him the flat-out truth. "I just realized it's been five years, and while the cost of living and rent have gone up, my salary hasn't budged an inch. Five years ago, I had two offers in my hand—one for nine grand and another for ten grand. Mom told me to work for you, claiming we're family; you won't shortchange me.

"When I first joined, you paid me five grand a month and promised to raise my salary once business picked up. For the last five years, I've helped you close countless major deals, handled business registration and tax affairs, trained the newcomers, and even dealt with debt collectors for you. I've been doing the work of three employees for five grand. Yet, this year, the new hires are making 6,500 dollars the moment they join the factory."

His smile faded slightly. "Lucius, how can you compare yourself to the others? You're family. Do you really think your uncle would shortchange you?

"You're in line for succession here. Why are you losing sleep over pocket change? I've been under a lot of pressure lately. Your aunt keeps nagging me to buy a new house, and your cousin's about to study abroad."

Uncle Liam sighed. "I've never shared my burdens with anyone else, but you're family. Shouldn't you cut your uncle some slack?"

Holding his gaze, I responded, "I've cut you plenty of slack for five years, Uncle Liam. Every single time you denied me a raise, it was because we're family. Because we're family, I should work for peanuts?

"Because we're family, I have to be the bigger person? Because we're family, I'm supposed to take the short end of the stick? Everyone in the factory knows I'm your nephew.

"They literally wagered that I'm pulling in five figures easily. I can't even bring myself to tell them I only make five grand. My girlfriend went through five years of hardship with me—no heating in winter and a leaking roof in summer.

"Last week, she packed her bags and left. She told me she wasn't afraid of the hard times with me, but my paycheck gave her zero future to look forward to."

I took a deep breath and controlled my voice. "I want to design and see what I can do out in the world, Uncle Liam. Even if I end up crashing and burning, at least it'll be on my own terms."

Uncle Liam's expression hardened, and he slammed his fist on the table. "If I hadn't taken you in back then, you wouldn't even be where you are today! Do you think the real world is a walk in the park?

"For five years, I treated you like my own flesh and blood. I taught you the technical skills and how to manage the place, and now you're just walking out on me? Do you even have a conscience?"

He pointed at the door and bellowed, "Fine. Get the hell out of my sight right now! Listen here, once you walk out that door, don't you dare call me your uncle! Let's see what you can make of yourself out there, you ungrateful wretch!"

Looking at him, I realized how pathetic it all was. I had worked myself to the bone, put in countless hours of unpaid overtime, and gone five years without a single raise. Yet, now, just because he said he gave me an opportunity and that I was family, all my five years of hard work and sacrifices were just supposed to be expected of me?

I spun around and left. Right then and there, it dawned on me that I should've left this place a long time ago.