“There you are you wicked girl!”
My stepmom started cussing at me as she pulled
me out and threw me onto the floor. I began
to tremble because I knew what was going to
happen next.
*Whack whack whack.*
I cried out in pain but I knew that no one is
going to hear my cries. I desperately began
to gasp for air. My heart was aching again.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Not again! Don’t you see how much
you’re costing your father and me with
your heart problems? If it wasn’t for
all these medical bills we wouldn’t be
so poor now!”
I had this heart condition where air would suddenly
shut off and I couldn’t breathe. The doctors
are trying to save me by giving me a respirator
and pills, but they’re not sure how much
longer I’ll be able to live. My dad (who
was a pathetic excuse for a man) came in.
He looked down at me with sorrowful eyes. He
held my stepmom’s arm lightly and said,
“I think she had enough. You don’t
want her to have another attack. Calm down and
let’s have dinner.”
“That’s why I’m hitting her!”
she yelled. “She got detention and stayed
after school for an hour. She was supposed to
be home to go buy food for dinner and make it.
Your daughter is so evil. She wants me to starve
or something!”
“I didn’t get detention. The teacher
wanted to talk to me about—“
But I was cut off by the whack of my stepmom’s
stick. I cried silently in pain and turned away.
I didn’t want to look at her.
My dad said, “Well, dinner’s just
going to be a little late today. Mina, say sorry
to your mom.”
Despite the pain, I managed to say, “Sorry
mom. Please forgive me.”
My dad handed me some money. “Here. Go
buy food to make mee-yuk-gook tonight.”
My stepmom’s temper simmered down a little
as my dad lead her out of my room.
I picked up the money and headed for the store.
Mr. Choi, the owner of Choi Food Market, shook
his head as I walked in. He knew what kind of
hell I was going through. I finished my shopping
and checked out.
“That’ll be $3.49.”
“What?” I asked. “Umm…Mr.
Choi. That’s impossible. With all this
stuff it should be around $15.”
“I know Mina.” Mr. Choi gave me
a sad smile. “The exact price is $14.32.
Why don’t you keep the change for yourself?”
I opened my mouth in shock. “Mr. Choi…I..I
can’t do that,” I said as I handed
him 20.
He only took five. “No. Keep it. I know
that stepmom of yours don’t give you any
money.”
I looked up at Mr. Choi with tears in my eyes.
Here he was, just a friend reaching out to me.
I said thanks and headed for home.
