Forgotten Kinship - Chapter 5

After they left, I took a bath and put Ashley’s stuff outside. I also put my teddy bear outside.

I got it as a kid and I saved it for ten years. I cleaned it a lot, and I slept with it every night.

I thought that I could go back to the days where I was the only one Mom and Dad focused on.

But it’s okay now.

I went to bed.

When I woke up, no one was home. I saw an invitation from Berkeley and decided to do it. If I were still a teenager, I wouldn’t go.

Ashley didn’t want me to be better than her, or she would start crying or have health problems.

Mom and Dad would look at me with disappointment. I didn’t want to do that anymore.

Ashley can have Mom and Dad’s love, but I want the rest. Training started next week Two days later.

Ashley was better, and Mom and Dad brought her home. Mom didn’t look comfortable:

“Autumn, were you okay by yourself?”

Ashley smiled behind her. I thought that it was boring. I looked at them and started reading:

“I was okay. It was quiet.”

The room went silent. Mom and Dad didn’t say anything. They were waiting for me to start yelling like I used to.

But I just focused on my reading. I stopped reading and got some mango. Dad tried to grab my food. I was surprised:

“This is my food. Ashley’s fancy food is in the fridge. I didn’t touch it.”

Dad looked embarrassed:

“I didn’t mean that.”

I suddenly remembered. I always tried to be nice so Mom and Dad would notice me. Cutting fruit was one of them.

But I forgot.

While I was thinking, Ashley said:

“Dad, I want shrimp for dinner.”

Dad looked at Ashley:

“Okay. I’ll get some now.”

Ashley smiled at me. I shrugged and went back to reading. I liked the fruit that I got for myself. When Dad got back, I was resting on the couch.

Ashley looked at Dad:

“Why is my fruit with my sister’s again?”

Dad started to say:

“We can afford for you and Autumn to have the same thing.”

Dad looked at me. I didn’t know what to do. They always said that Ashley needed special food because of her health problems.

I got mad, but they didn’t care. They said that I was selfish. I said that we had enough money, but they looked sad.

What was happening?

I didn’t say anything. Ashley glared at me and held her chest.

I jumped back from the couch, holding my hands up. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t say anything.”

“The fruit wasn’t for me. Do whatever you want with it.”

I didn’t wait to see their reaction. I just went back to my room and closed the door.