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Chapter 5
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Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 10
By the following September, it was time to switch again. Mom came toward me, looking almost ready to cry with joy. "Dane, can I go to Marlow with you? I promise I won't be a nuisance. I still have my pension."Dad's face changed before I could even answer."How can you be like this? If you go there and refuse to leave, do you expect Dane to support you for the rest of your life?""So what if I do?"Just like that, they started arguing again.Zane didn't even bother trying to stop them like he used to. He lit a cigarette, looking thoroughly bored with it all. He said, "Dane, can you lend me some money? Dad wants to hire a helper, but I can't afford it.""If you can't afford it, don't hire anyone. You're the one taking care of him, so it's your responsibility," I answered.Zane gave a cold snort and said nothing more.During the year Mom was under my care, she underwent major surgery.I still didn't go back to look after her, but I hired a good caregiver for her. There was n
Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 9
The year I graduated with my PhD, Dad had surgery for a problem with his gallbladder.Sarah called me from Janice's phone and asked me to head home so I could take care of Dad for a while.I was puzzled by her request. "Where's Zane? He should take care of Dad."Sarah struggled with her answer for a bit. "Zane went on a trip. He said the flights and hotel were already booked and couldn't be refunded…"I didn't relent. "Dad is only 57 this year, right? He's not even old enough to legally require support yet. And this surgery isn't life-threatening, so please tell him to figure it out himself. Besides, hiring a caregiver doesn't even cost that much."Sarah muttered, "It's 300 dollars a day. How is that not expensive? Do you want to pay for it?"I chuckled. "Sure. He can come to me when he's 60 and needs a caregiver after surgery. I'll pay for it. For now, the answer is no."Janice told me that the relatives back home cursed me behind my back, saying I was too cold-blooded and ruth
Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 8
Sarah's oldest daughter, Janice Litt, was two years younger than me. Because her parents favored the other kid, she was practically invisible at home, just like I was.So even after I decided to cut off my relatives, I never deleted her contact information. I was always willing to help whenever she had questions about planning her studies or got stuck on her schoolwork.After graduating from college, I continued on to graduate school.Janice saw the photos I posted from my enrollment ceremony, and she reached out to congratulate me."Dane, Aunt Martha and Uncle Jim don't really like Zane that much anymore."That was new to me.After all, Mom didn't even yell at him when Zane stole money from the family to take his friends out to eat. I'd thought there was nothing Zane could do that they wouldn't forgive.Seeing that I had no intention to stop her, Janice continued to share the gossip with me.Two years ago, Dad had gone downstairs for a moment to grab a document. When he came b
Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 7
After making the bed, I turned around to get up and saw all three of my roommates standing up."Come on, let's go grab something from the cafeteria!"I froze for a moment. "So you guys were waiting for me?"The guy in the bed across from mine threw an arm around my shoulder and laughed. "We all came here from different places, and it's nice that we ended up together in the same dorm. This is our little home now. How could we leave anyone behind on the very first day?"My eyes started to sting.So this was what a home was supposed to be, a place where no one was left behind.I remembered one year when I had to compete in a citywide math competition on the day of the switch.I got to the restaurant early and ordered everything for everyone. I even made sure the staff knew exactly what each person couldn't eat before I left.When I rushed back later, all that was left was a table full of leftovers.Mom pointed at the mess and said dismissively, "Just eat them."As I walked throu
Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 6
I always arrived at the venue two hours early for the annual September switch. I would always order everyone's favorite dishes ahead of time and make sure the tableware was clean, so everything would be ready for my family as soon as they arrived.When Mom walked into the private room and saw the completely empty table, she froze for a moment.Dad and Zane had just arrived too.Dad frowned and asked Mom, “Where's Dane? Why hasn't he ordered anything? A lot of the seafood dishes are already sold out. What's going on with him?"Mom put down her bag. "I don't know. When I got up this morning, his suitcase was already gone. I thought he'd come over early to order the food."Zane gave a dismissive look. "Just order some dishes that can be served quickly. I made plans with my friends tonight. I don't want to wait."Mom and Dad quickly called over a server to place their order.When the food arrived, Zane stared at the dishes in disbelief. "Mom, I don't like cilantro!"Mom picked th
Shared Custody, but I'm Nobody's Child Chapter 5
The whole family gathered again for New Year.Zane barely ate before heading out to light fireworks with his friends, and my parents started arguing over where Zane should go for tutoring.Their voices grew louder and louder until everyone else was too afraid to speak.My aunt, Sarah Powell, nudged me. "Dane, your parents are fighting again. Shouldn't you break them up?"I kept peeling shrimp without even looking up. "Nope. I'm not doing it."Grandma glared at me. "They're practically about to start hitting each other, and you still have the appetite to eat?"I'd played mediator countless times, both before and after their divorce, but I'd never once managed to stop them.Two years ago, when it was time for the switch, Mom and Dad began arguing the moment they stepped through the door. Zane was late, so there were only the three of us in the private room. As things grew more heated, I tried to stop them by saying a few things that were fair to both sides.Mom immediately dire
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