Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Mom and Dad got ready to head out with Ivan and Willow.

Mom trailed behind Dad, practically walking on eggshells. He still seemed upset about what had happened the day before.

They were all decked out in matching outfits they'd bought for Christmas, making them look like a picture-perfect, happy family.

And then there was me, still wearing last year's black padded jacket, sticking out like a sore thumb.

Dad glanced at me before pulling out 200 dollars from his bag to hand to me.

"Here. This is for you. I stocked the fridge with enough food to last until we are back. If you don't feel like cooking, just buy yourself something to eat.

"Make sure your grandma takes her medicine on time, and change her diaper when she needs it. Don't let the house stink up. I don't want to come home and have to clean up after you."

As I took the money, I suddenly remembered them mentioning last night that this trip to Serova would cost at least 20,000 dollars.

Nevertheless, I kept my mouth shut. I held the money tight in my hand and simply nodded hard. "Thanks, Dad. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

At least Dad still cared about me. He was worried I'd go hungry. What he said yesterday must've just been said in the heat of the moment. It was my fault for falling short.

Mom patted me on the shoulder and said guiltily, "Take good care of Grandma while we're gone. We'll bring you back a souvenir."

As I looked up, I forced a smile. "Okay, thanks, Mom. Have fun."

How nice. I was getting a gift. I was already looking forward to it. The car started pulling away. I stood there, watching Dad through the window.

He turned toward the backseat, saying something to Ivan and Willow. Then he wore a warm, fatherly smile.

I used to get that smile too. Before I turned seven, he used to look at me like that. When did he stop?

It probably started the day I brought home my first-grade test paper. I'd gotten a 59. Dad stared at the numbers with a deep frown, while Mom's eyes widened in disbelief.

After that, Mom and Dad took it upon themselves to help me with everything. They signed me up for one tutoring class after another.

And I studied hard too. I wanted to make them proud, but I could never seem to get much higher than a passing grade.

Then, for my sixth-grade finals, I studied my butt off. And when I got a 70 for the first time, I practically ran home to tell Mom and Dad.

I could still remember how Dad stared at me for a long time that day, his eyes filled with disappointment.

Mom looked at me and just sighed. And after that day, Dad never smiled at me again.

I waited until the car had completely disappeared before slowly turning back inside. Once inside, I headed straight to Grandma's room.

A foul smell hit me immediately. The air was thick with the stench of feces.

Recalling Dad's parting warning not to let the house smell, I rushed over to clean Grandma up.

Then I wiped her down, changed her diaper, gave her her medicine, and massaged her stiff limbs. I had it all down to a science.

From the very day she was paralyzed, as long as I was home, this was my job.

Her caregiver had once praised me, saying, "Jacob, you're more meticulous than a lot of professionals."

I was so happy that I ran to tell my parents. Dad was in the middle of helping Willow with an advanced math problem when I went to him. Without even looking up, he remarked, "Yeah. That's about the only thing you're good for."

The smile froze on my face, and I quietly backed out of the room. From that day on, I knew that being the "dutiful son" was the only thing keeping me relevant in this family.

So whenever Mom and Dad were stressing about who would take care of Grandma, I was the first to volunteer.

If I couldn't even do this right, I really would be good for nothing.

After getting Grandma cleaned up, I went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. I had already put away the money Dad gave me since I wasn't planning on spending it.

That way, when he got back, he'd see I wasn't just dutiful, but really sensible and frugal, too. The thought made me smile.

I had some mushroom soup simmering on low heat for Grandma. She could only handle a liquid diet right now.

Just as it was almost done, my phone buzzed. It was a photo from Dad.

Willow and Ivan were building a sandcastle, and there was a brilliant blue sea and a golden beach in the background.

Mom and Dad had sunglasses on, both smiling happily.

A message was attached to the photo.

"We made it. Having a great time. Make sure you take good care of Grandma."

I just stared at the photo for a long time. Serova… The ocean… I really wanted to go too.

I shook the thought off and tried to hype myself up. "Come on, Jacob. You might not be on the trip with everyone else, but at least you can hold down the fort here and give Mom and Dad complete peace of mind."

After a long pause, I replied, "Okay."

With a bowl of soup in one hand and my phone in the other, I walked into Grandma's room.

"Grandma! Grandma, Dad sent us a picture! They're already in Serova. The ocean looks super blue. Here, I'll show you."

I held the photo up in front of Grandma as I called out to her. But she just kept her eyes closed, completely motionless.