Born to Suffer So My Brother Learns
He hit the floor hard on his knees, tears pouring down his face in endless streams.
"Helena, you…" Mom stumbled toward the bed, her hand shaking as she stretched it out and pressed her trembling fingers under my nose.
There was no breath at all.
As if burned, she yanked her hand back. She froze for two seconds, then grabbed my shoulders and shook me like a woman possessed.
"Helena, stop pretending to be asleep! Wake up! I really did bring the money back—just open your eyes and look at me!"
My head swayed left and right with her shaking, like a marionette whose strings had been cut.