Chapter 2

After leaving the hospital, I kept recalling how many times my parents' so-called "amnesia" had made them forget over the years.

Every time Dad sent living expenses, I had to chase him for it. I never received it until the last moment.

My parents weren't forgetful at all—they just randomly found an excuse to brush me off.

Thinking of this, I dialed my dad's number again.

"Dad, you shouldn't be busy at this time. Please send my living expenses."

The other end was silent for a few seconds, then my dad's awkward laughter rang out.

"Yes, yes, I forgot again. I'll transfer it to you right now."

"Dad, remember to transfer two thousand. Don't click wrong like you always do."

I reminded him. My dad hadn't hung up yet, and hearing this made him cough guiltily.

"How could that happen? When you started college, we agreed on two thousand a month."

Yes, that's what we agreed on, but every month he finds some reason to forget part of it.

Dad's transfer came through, and the call disconnected.

I immediately paid back the money my roommate had lent me when I was sick.

"Your dad finally remembered to send you living expenses?"

My roommate Megan knew about my family situation. I nodded.

Before I could figure out how to allocate the remaining money, my brother's call came through.

"I heard Dad sent you living expenses? See, Dad still favors you. When I asked him for money, he didn't give me any!"

I made up an excuse and hung up on him.

Usually it went like this—every time Dad sent me living expenses, my brother would call soon after to play the victim, saying he had no money to spend, and I would soften and lend him my living expenses.

But my brother has amnesia too. Every time he gets living expenses, he forgets to pay me back.

So this time I didn't want to be a fool anymore.

I thought the matter would end there, but who knew that night I'd receive another call from my mom.

She rarely calls me. Even when asking me to buy things, she just sends me a link.

As soon as the call connected, my mom's anxious voice came through the receiver:

"Willow, why are you so stingy? Did your brother ask to borrow money from you this afternoon?"

So that's what this was about. Before I could answer, the other end continued:

"Your dad was good to you and sent you living expenses first. Your brother has no money—why won't you lend it to him?"

Even Dad chimed in: "Fine, next time we'll take turns sending you siblings living expenses. Don't you dare ask your brother to borrow money then!"

I acknowledged and hung up, having no interest in watching their family of three put on a show.

At midnight, my mom sent another link.