Making an Example Of
Parents like to say every child is a part of them.
In our house, I was but a splinter under the skin.
Mom and Dad were a blended couple. They could not bring themselves to truly punish my stepbrother and stepsister, so they had me and turned me into their cautionary example.
When my brother came last in his class, Dad locked me in a dog crate under the blazing sun to teach him what happened to people who refused to study.
When my sister started dating too young, Mom drugged me and dumped me in a homeless encampment to show her what could happen if she was not careful.
Then one day, Dad found a takeout receipt in the trash.
He forced poisoned food into my mouth and made me swallow.
"Today, I am going to teach you all a real lesson. This is what happens when you eat whatever you want behind our backs."
Even as I coughed blood and writhed on the floor, Dad threw me into the punishment room.
My brother and sister rushed to confess and begged Mom to let me out.
But Mom only said coldly, "You two will learn this lesson properly today. When you have learned it, I will let him out."
I sat on the floor as blood soaked through my shirt.
As my consciousness faded, I finally understood.
Dad, your last cautionary lesson had to be taught with my life.
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