Perhaps the threat had worked, because for the rest of the presentation, Mom didn’t cause a single disruption.
My boss and client were highly satisfied with my proposal, yet when the meeting ended, he still fined me 800 dollars for breaking meeting discipline.
He looked at me with seriousness and said, “This project was a great success. Your transfer to the Palmer headquarters can basically be finalized.”
My heart leapt with joy; this was the chance I had longed for, the opportunity to leave this family and begin a new life. But then his tone shifted.
“But you must first settle the matters at home.”
“This time I fined you 800, not because I truly wanted to, but to silence those who are eyeing your position.”
“If your family keeps causing trouble and it affects your work, next time I won’t be able to cover for you.”
Of course, I understood, and I quickly nodded. “I understand. I’ll definitely resolve this problem.”
Leaving the company, I exhaled a long, heavy breath. Although the project’s success gave me hope for freedom, the thought of the chaos at home still pressed heavily on my heart.
When I returned and stepped through the door, I immediately heard Mom sobbing in the living room, as if the world had wronged her in the cruelest way.
My brother sat next to Mom, gently trying to calm her. “Mom, don’t cry. Eleanor just doesn’t get it yet.”
“She’s still young. Once she gets married and has kids, she’ll understand your good intentions.”
Dad sat on the sofa, smoking with a dark look on his face. When he saw me come back, he crushed the cigarette in the ashtray, stood up, and started scolding.
“So now you’ve grown bold, huh? You dare ignore the phone?”
“Do you know how many times your mom called you? She was so worried she couldn’t eat or sleep!”
Mom lifted her tear-streaked eyes. “Eleanor must think I’m annoying. Maybe I do worry too much sometimes and just want to care for her more, but I never thought…” Her voice broke off as she wiped her tears again.
Martin shot up, his voice sharp. “Eleanor, aren’t you going to apologize to Mom right now?”
“Look how upset you’ve made her!”
I looked at the three of them, a heavy wave of helplessness crashing over me.
This was my family: always on Mom’s side. No matter what she did, I was always the one in the wrong.