"Oh, you must be Miss Solomon. Scarlett told me that she had a roommate. We have something to discuss with Scarlett. Sorry for bothering you. " Mother bowed and stood up, showing a pleasing smile.
I asked, "How did you get in?"
"The key was under the carpet. I found it as soon as I touched it," said my little brother, Jack, proudly, showing no signs of guilt for his unreasonable intrusion.
I didn't have the habit of putting the keys under the carpet. It was Eileen who put them there.
Eileen glanced at them thoughtfully, saying, "You guys go ahead with your talk." Then she went into her room.
"What's the matter?"
"You didn't answer my calls or reply to my messages. Your younger brother is getting married next month. Aren't you coming?"
"I'm too busy lately, so I won't go."
"It's okay if you don't come, but you have to give me the betrothal gift," said Jack with a disdainful expression.
Mother slapped him and told him not to talk nonsense.
"Well, Scarlett, we are short of money due to the house renovation at home. Your younger brother is getting married soon, and he needs money. Can you... Can you spare some money?"
"I knew they wanted my money, so I didn't reply to her message."
"Mom, didn't I give you 60 thousand dollars before? Why is it still not enough?"
She stammered and dared not look at me.
I narrowed my eyes and probed by saying, "Did you enlarge and raise the building?"
Jack sneered, saying, "We couldn't live in that shabby building long ago. Of course, we must rebuild it bigger and higher. Everyone else is doing the same. Take a trip around the village. You will see that no one's house has that stingy look."
I said indifferently and snorted, "The money is not enough, but you want to glorify yourself. If you had honestly followed the original plan, it would have been built and furnished long ago."
"Now, I don't have any money. You and your bride can get married in an unfurnished house."
As his sister, I had done enough.
Jack pointed at my nose and shouted, "Scarlett! You came to Chicago and became wild, right? Don't forget that it was our parents who supported you to go to school. I didn't even go to school. You owe me this!"