Chapter 2

My parents would surely be worried if they couldn't find me. Luckily, there were surveillance cameras around, so finding me shouldn't be too difficult.

Thinking of this, I turned around. I involuntarily drifted back home.

My mom returned from buying groceries. As soon as she entered the door, she shouted, "Jack, I bought some beef. I'll make you grilled meat tonight. The doctor said you need to eat more nutritious food!"

Unfortunately, I was already dead, so I couldn't eat it.

When Mom didn't get a reply from me, she thought I was still asleep. She went to the kitchen and started cooking.

By the time she was done cooking, it was already getting dark.

My brother came home. Seeing my room door closed, he asked, "Has Jack not gotten up yet? Did he hear us talking earlier? Is he angry?"

My mom was irritated. "What right does he have to be angry? The whole family revolves around him. Besides, this time, it's his own fault!"

"Mom, don't blame Jack. He's suffering. He's having a hard time too."

My mom sighed. "I'm just saying. Tell him to come out for dinner!"

My brother knocked on my door. "Jack, time for dinner!"

There was no response.

I couldn't help but shake my head. I'm dead, brother. I can't eat this meal. You don't have to worry about me anymore.

Seeing that I wouldn't come out, my mom couldn't help but get angry. "He said he wanted to take a nap and told me not to wake him, but he's slept for so long. He's obviously throwing a tantrum. I'll give him a talking to!"

She rolled up her sleeves and tried to rush into my room, but my brother quickly held her back. "Mom, stop. He must be in a bad mood right now. Let him be, he'll come out when he's hungry. Let's eat, I have to bring Dad food later."

Mom said nothing after hearing that. She quickly put food on the table.

After they both ate, Mom cleared the dishes. She then sat on the couch, stringing beads and sewing buttons for a part-time job she found from a clothing factory.

Each piece only paid three cents, and she often worked until her eyes blurred.

Sometimes, I would help, but my deformed joints made it impossible for me to grasp those tiny beads. I would always make a mess.

Mom would always say that it was okay and tell me to lie down instead, but I felt guilty seeing the dark circles under her eyes.

But it's fine now, Mom. I'm dead. You don't have to stay up late sewing anymore.

My brother was about to bring Dad food when he received a call from Dad.

"What?! Okay, I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone and told Mom, "Dad accidentally scratched someone's car, and the other party wants compensation. They're at the intersection ahead."

Mom put down the beads and rushed over to the scene of the accident with my brother.

I followed too.

At the intersection nearby, we saw my dad surrounded by a crowd, with police officers nearby.

The car owner was yelling, "A few hundred dollars?! This is an imported car! Do you take me for a beggar?!"

Mom charged forward. When she saw the car, tears immediately streamed down her face. "We don't have that much money. Can you claim insurance? We'll pay the rest in installments."

My brother quickly took out all our money, loose change and notes, totaling $863.

"My brother just got discharged from the hospital, and this is all the money we have left. Take this for now. We can only pay the rest after we get our salaries."

At this point, someone nearby said, "Do you really have to take money from them? Their son has a serious illness and just got out of the hospital today."

"This family is really poor. Can't you just claim insurance?"

"Oh, it's them. I know them. They have it tough. The youngest son has a terminal illness!"