Piecing Me Together Again

Mrs. Turner was consoling my mother, saying, "It's okay. She's just a child. She'll become better as she grows up.""Bringing that up makes me even angrier! It's my birthday today, but she's nowhere to be seen!"Mom's cutleries scraped against the table, letting out a noise that grated on the ears. Just then, her phone rang.I silently floated closer and took a look. It was from my class teacher, Ms. Reed. It seemed she had realized I hadn't turned up for school today.However, Mom didn't save her number. The phone rang on and on. Finally, Mom's patience wore out, and she answered it."What? How dare she play hooky!" Her furious voice rang throughout the hall.I heard Ms. Reed explaining urgently, "No, it's not that, Ms. Allen. I'm saying she hasn't come to school today."To Mom, it was the same.She roared in anger for some time before ringing my number furiously. "She never lets me have a peace of mind. She never tells me where she's going. What have I done to deserve this?"

Mom started feeling uneasy. She hurriedly tidied up the room. Then, she hopped onto her e-bike and headed straight for Dad's house.On the way, she kept mumbling something about me getting into trouble if she got her hands on me. She also called me heartless.I followed her and watched her get a locksmith to unlock the door. Once she got inside the house, she shouted for me to show myself.Then, she ran to a small room furthest away from the door. After my parents divorced, Dad once promised to keep that room as mine.However, it was now a storeroom. Gardening tools and discarded toys were strewn across the floor.Mom choked and coughed at the dust covering the room. She was stunned. She knew this was supposed to be my room.Her face contorted with anger as she rushed out, wanting to question Dad about this.Just then, familiar voices came from outside the house. It was Grandma and Dad.They must've received the police's call.Grandma said with assurance, "It's fine. It's evid

Mrs. Turner hugged Tiffany, comforting her. At the same time, she shouted at Mom to stop.However, Mom couldn't hear her. Her eyes reddened, and she mindlessly yanked the bracelet."It's you! You took my love away from Xenia! You're no match for Xenia. My daughter's the best!"There was a loud slap. Mom's head turned from the impact, and she released Tiffany.Mrs. Turner's hand hung in midair. She had a ferocious expression on her face. "Stop it! You're the one who didn't love Xenia. What has it got to do with my daughter? You forced my daughter to take this bracelet!"She went on and on about the past, about how Mom acknowledged Tiffany as her goddaughter right in my face. She let Tiffany have my room during summer break. When Tiffany got mad, she'd hit me to make Tiffany laugh. During New Year, I'd receive an empty gift box, while Tiffany would receive an expensive gift.With every word she spoke, Mom hunched more and more until she dropped to her knees.Then only did Mrs. Tur

Cries for help and curses intertwined. I felt more and more remorse coming from them, and my spirit solidified.Silently, I squatted and reached for the crushed birthday cake. I tasted it. It was delicious, much better than the cupcake I bought for five dollars.The little boy suddenly looked my way. Pointing at me, he yelped.No one could see me. I walked over and gently held his hand. Then, I covered his eyes. "Don't look. You'll feel bad."I didn't blame him. I was just unfortunate.The chaos ended with Dad fainting in his own pool of blood.Mom dropped the knife. Covered in blood, she walked out of the house like a zombie.She poured gasoline, which she'd prepared in advance, all around the house. As she cast a matchstick at the house, flames licked the sky.Then, she walked home just like that.The police siren was approaching.Mom locked all the doors from the inside and poured the remaining gasoline on the floor. For the last time, she stepped into my room and gazed at