Guilt of Burden
The notice of my mother's layoff sat on the kitchen table.
Rent was due in three days. My younger brother's tutoring fees were already two weeks late. And my little sister, Stephanie, clutched her acceptance letter to the local public arts high school like she'd done something wrong.
None of this would be happening if it weren't for me. My illness had taken everything our family had saved.
I stayed in my room, leaning against the door, wanting to tell them I'd drop out of treatment—but I couldn't bring myself to open it.
"Why did he have to fall sick?"
My mother was crying, her voice low and tight, like the words were being forced out of her. "If it were just you both, Stephanie and Jamie, we'd be fine by now."
"Mom, please don't say that."
My brother and sister held her, barely holding back their own tears.
"He's a burden… but he's still my son." Her voice cracked. "I just… I can't do this anymore…"
I stepped back and sank into my chair.
It wasn't an accusation. It was a verdict.