Chapter 4

When Mom saw me come out, she snorted. "Some people should stop eating the food I cook if they think they're so capable."

My only response was the sound of my bedroom door closing.

I went to my tutoring job. The parent there had told me meals were included.

When I got home, Mom was sitting on the couch with a cold expression. She asked where I'd been wandering around.

"I found a part-time job. I'm saving up for a new phone."

Her expression softened a little. She handed me several sheets of paper. The title was written in thick black marker:

[Things to Remember When Taking Care of Mikael]

1. Change his sheets and bedding at least once a month. Mikael doesn't know how, so remember to do it for him.

2. Mikael kicks off his blankets when he sleeps. Get up during the night to check on him so he doesn't catch a cold.

3. Do Mikael's assigned dorm chores for him.

4. Mikael likes spicy food, but too much of it makes him sick. Remember to make him lemonade regularly.

...

99. By the way, I found you a part-time job over there. If Mikael runs short of money, remember to give him some.

There were so many instructions. I flipped through the pages one by one, feeling absolutely nothing.

Seeing that I wasn't refusing, Mom smiled. "I know I was unfair to you by making you go to a community college."

As she spoke, she handed me a bag. Inside was a brand-new phone.

I didn't take it.

Mikael grabbed the bag and forcibly shoved it into my hands. "Come on, Quinton. Take it."

"That way, you won't have to work so hard."

I accepted it and glanced at the receipt.

$199.

Even Mikael's headphones cost more than that.

I smiled faintly and handed the phone back to Mom. "Just return it. I don't need it."

Mom frowned. "What's wrong with you? You wanted a new phone before. Why don't you want one now?"

"I'll earn the money and buy the one I want myself."

Mom smiled when she heard that. "What a good boy. You finally know how to save us some money."

She told Dad to drive over and return the phone.

I turned to go back to my room, but Mom caught my hand. "Take these instructions about Mikael and memorize them. I'll test you tomorrow."

"Memorize them?"

Even though I'd long known how much Mom favored Mikael, I still found the request absurd.

"Of course. Mikael has never been so far away from home before. I'm worried about him." She held my hand, her eyes filled with concern for Mikael.

What about me? I was going somewhere even farther away than he was. Mom, would you worry about me?

After looking into her eyes for two seconds, I smiled. "Okay."

The month of part-time work passed quickly. I was getting ready to take my earnings and buy a phone and a train ticket.

But when I reached under my bed, the money was gone. My heart sank.

I pushed open the door and saw Mikael showing off his new hairstyle and clothes, striking poses in front of me.

"Quinton, don't I look cool?"

"Did you take my money again?"

Mikael scratched his head. "What money?"

Mom walked in behind him. She glanced at me and said matter-of-factly, "Mikael didn't take it. I did. Why were you hiding money under your bed? Were you planning something bad?"

"Mom, I told you I was saving up to buy a new phone!"

"Oh, so you need that much money just to buy a phone?"

I fought to control my emotions and gritted my teeth. "Give my money back!"

She folded her arms and pointed at Mikael, who was taking selfies and posting them on social media. "Look how handsome Mikael is. Isn't earning money supposed to be for Mikael?"

She tossed ten dollars at me. "Here. There's a little left. Take it and buy yourself one of those basic old-fashioned phones."

As I stared at the money on the floor, my fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

I couldn't bear to stay in that house for another second. I rushed out, clutching the gold bracelet Mom had given me years ago.

I'd won first prize in a national competition, and Mom had been so happy that she bought a gold bracelet—one for me and another for Mikael.

Over the years, whenever Mom favored Mikael, I would hold my bracelet and comfort myself.

Mom loves me too. Other mothers don't even buy their children gold bracelets.

But now, I no longer wanted to keep imagining that Mom loved me.

"Hello. How much would you give me for this gold bracelet?" I walked into a jewelry store and asked the person behind the counter.

The clerk pushed up his glasses. "Son, this bracelet is gold-plated silver. It isn't worth much. Could someone have cheated you?"

In an instant, tears blurred my vision.

The emotional support I'd relied on for more than a decade had collapsed without warning. It had all been a joke.

I wiped away my tears with a smile. "How much can I get for it? Would it be enough to buy a train ticket to Bellwether?"