Chapter 4

After a long silence, Grandpa finally worked up the courage to speak.

"If none of you will call Logan, then I will. If you won't bring him home, I'll go get him myself."

With that, he grabbed his cane and headed for the door.

The moment Dad saw Grandpa leave, he flew into a rage.

Pointing after Grandpa, he shouted, "See? This is exactly why Logan turned out so spoiled! When he gets out into the real world, he won't last a day. He'll never amount to anything!"

The more Dad talked, the angrier he became. He spun around and stormed into the bedroom Grandpa had prepared for me.

My heart dropped, and I rushed after him.

Dad ripped the new comforter off my bed and threw it onto the floor. He stomped on it twice and cursed loudly.

"So he won't come home because he's mad at me? Fine! Then he doesn't get this, either!"

His gaze shifted to the certificates covering the wall.

Every award I had earned from elementary school through high school was carefully arranged there. They represented everything I had worked for growing up, and Grandpa had always been so proud of them.

But Dad tore them off the wall and ripped them to pieces.

"What good are these worthless certificates? Do they teach him to respect the rules? He has no gratitude, and he doesn't understand the value of hard work. He could win a thousand awards and still be an ungrateful brat. He's a complete failure!"

I stared at the scraps scattered across the floor and screamed at him in desperation.

"Grandpa never spoiled me! I've always tried to pull my own weight. I was helping him in the fields by the time I was five. I can cook, fix farm equipment, and take care of him when he's sick.

"I know how hard you and Mom work for your money. I've never complained or asked for more than I needed.

"Grandpa and I have always lived on public assistance. I learned to make every dollar count when I was little, and I've never wasted money!"

I pointed toward my closet, desperately wishing he would open it and look. Every piece of clothing inside had been patched more than once.

If he didn't believe me, he could ask anyone in town who had known me growing up or any teacher who had ever taught me.

They would all tell him I was considerate, hardworking, and devoted to my family.

Grandpa had always told me that my parents loved me, but they were just too busy working to spend much time with me.

That was why I had always tried so hard.

I studied, behaved, and did everything I could to avoid causing trouble because I was terrified of becoming a burden. I was afraid they wouldn't love me if I did.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Relief washed over Mom's face. She turned to Dad.

"See? Logan came back. He's already at the door."

Dad immediately drew himself up.

The door burst open, and the mayor stumbled inside.

When Dad saw him, he assumed I had sent the mayor to argue on my behalf. He crossed his arms, his expression turning cold.

"You're here because of Logan, aren't you?

"I don't care who comes here to speak for him. He deliberately ignored my rules, and he's going to admit he was wrong.

"Tell him to write a five-page apology and read it in front of the whole town. Until he does, he's not welcome back in this house."

Dad kept talking over him, and the mayor waved his hands frantically, trying to get a word in.

Grandpa peered anxiously past him. "Where's Logan? Did he come with you?"

The mayor stared at Dad in disbelief, his jaw clenched. Finally, he exploded.

"Something bad happened! How could you do this to your own son?"