With the basement door being slammed closed, my heart was closed, too,
I didn’t understand why they still hated me even though I had become a boy.
Later, the cleaning lady told me that it was because I was a jinx.
My parents always said that, but I was young and didn't know what a jinx was.
But then, I understood it.
When I was seven years old, I was often starved. So, I had to sneak out for food.
That day, my brother was wearing a birthday hat and was surrounded by people in the living room.
They clapped and sang, "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you..."
My parents gently stroked my brother's hair.
"So, today is my brother’s birthday. So is mine." I thought.
I squatted outside the door and waited, and finally, everyone left.
I ran to the trash can, took out the cake, and started eating it ravenously.
That was the first time I had had cake.
“So, this is how cakes taste.
It's sweet and sour." I thought to myself.
I licked my hands, tied the cake, and took it back to the basement.
There was still a lot left. I planned to enjoy it when I got hungry.
I was holding the bag of cakes and getting ready to sleep when I heard a noise at the door.
I sat up immediately while thinking, "Do my parents come and celebrate my birthday after they realized it?"
I ran to the door with a smile on my face, only to see my dad holding a wooden stick and staring at me viciously. I was so scared that I took a step back.
"Dad..."
"Don't call me dad. I don't have a jinx daughter like you."
That night, my dad beat me so hard that I couldn't stand up. I cried and apologized, "I'm sorry, dad. It's my fault. I shouldn't have stolen food."
Later, I found out that someone who came to the birthday party that day died in a car accident.
My dad thought I had killed him.
I lay on the ground all night. No one gave me medicine or cared about if I was starving.
My stomach was aching, and I knew it was time to eat. But I was so beaten up that I couldn't even get up.
Luckily, my dad didn’t take the cake away. So, I grabbed a handful and stuffed it into my mouth.
It was still sweet. But I felt bitter.
It was mixed with my tears.
My brother and I went to the same kindergarten.
It was my first time leaving the house. I suppressed my excitement and stood next to my dad.
"Remember, don't make any friends or get close to Trevor."
I nodded timidly, keeping my father's words in mind and not daring to talk to anyone.