“You have no right to say that. You lived off
Mom for years, and you didn’t even work. You
dumped her at the old house when she got
sick. You’re the worst!”
Dad tried to break it up. “Calm down, you
two. None of you took care of Mom like my
daughter.”
“You should give your share to us!”
Aunt Carol scoffed. “The old lady always
picked on the weakest. Your daughter can
take care of her for the rest of her life, and
she won’t give her a dime!”
I stood up, clenching my fists. “Grandma
wasn’t like that. Argue all you want, but don’t
talk about my grandma!”
“Why not? Your grandma was a sexist old
woman. I’m telling you, your dad isn’t going to give you a dime. Because you’re worthless!”
I turned to my dad. “Dad, when you sell the
antiques, will you give me some money?”
Dad looked away and said, “What are you
talking about? When you get married, I’ll give
you money.”
Aunt Carol said, “See? You and I are being
scammed. We give the most and get the
least!”
Uncle Mark threw his glass. “Who are you
trying to insult? The old lady made the
decisions. If you don’t like it, go complain to
her!”
Aunt Carol picked up a plate and threw it at
him.
“I’m telling you, you’re not getting away with
く
this. I’m not going to let you sell the house or
the antiques. I’ll kill you!”
The restaurant was loud and messy.
I lowered my head and left.
The moon and stars were out. I looked up at
the sky, remembering when Grandma and I
slept on the roof.
I could hear cicadas, and she would read
stories to me.
I suddenly realized something.
When Dad got home, he found someone to
dig for the antiques.
They found several wooden boxes.
Г
The boxes held ancient porcelain. After being inspected, it was valued at over $10 million.
Dad was almost insane with joy. He quit his job and took out loans to buy two houses.
One was for them, and the other for my
brother to get married.
Dad said, “Sweetheart, you’re going to get
married. Your future husband will have a
house for you, you don’t have to buy one.”
I didn’t say anything. I just buried myself in
my studies.
“That’s ok, don’t you worry, I love you a lot,
and you all love me, right?”
My mom wanted to start scolding me. My dad
said, “Leave her alone. We have so much
money now. We don’t need her to take care
of us when we get old.”
Uncle Mark and his family sold their house
and moved into the brownstone.
He called my dad and said, “Come visit us! I’ll
take you to the museum.”
Dad agreed and started preparing for a trip.
I reminded them that it was almost Grandma’s
death anniversary. We were supposed to go
home to pay our respects.
Dad waved me off.
“What’s the point? We’re not going back. Who
are we showing respect for?”
I had to go back alone.
I was the only one who burned offerings. I
was the only one who discovered Grandma’s
secret.
As Dad was preparing to sell the antiques, the
cops showed up.
“We got a tip that you’re hiding artifacts. We
hope that you’ll hand them over. All of this is
government property.”
Dad turned pale, but he couldn’t refuse.
He wanted to keep one, but the police found
his secret antique.
After the police left, Dad was crushed.
He grabbed his hair and couldn’t believe it. “How did they know? Someone snitched!”
“Sweetheart, was it you! Did you rat me out
for not buying you a house?”
Dad glared and grabbed my shirt.
I calmly took my clothes back. “Why would I?
What would I gain? Besides, I don’t know how
many antiques you have.”
Mom said, “Yeah, she wouldn’t do that. If you
go to jail, she’ll be affected too. Was it your
brother or sister?”
Uncle Mark called.
“David, the city is trying to take the
brownstone!”
I found out that someone contacted the city
and told them that Grandma had donated the
brownstone.
The brownstone was really valuable, and I was
close to a few landmarks.
