I Was the Mistake My Mother Never Forgave

That day, Dad was so happy he even made my favorite cola chicken wings for dinner.

At dinner that night, the cola chicken wings didn’t even reach my mouth before they landed on my head. It was the same scene as tonight.

"Hazel! You’re only seven and you’re already this disgusting!"

"You're trying to seduce your dad into cooking for you and you don’t even see how full of yourself you are!"

Since then, I never drank cola or ate chicken wings again.

While I was thinking about it, Grandpa Vale looked at me with disgust. “What are you standing there for? Go to your room! Can’t you see your mom is already angry because of you?”

“You really have no heart. You just came home and already made your mom this upset.”

I stayed quiet, pulled the vegetable leaves hanging from my hair and walked toward my room.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Grandma Anna leaning on Grandpa’s shoulder, covering her face. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have let our dear daughter have a child. How could she give birth to such a monster?”

“Look what you’ve done to our precious daughter.”

Tears fell from my eyes. I didn’t. I should have let my mother give birth to me.

When I got to bed, I couldn’t stay standing anymore. My legs gave out and I fell to the floor.

A quiet sob slipped out. I didn’t know how long it took.

In the darkness, I heard Dad’s quiet, careful voice and Mom’s loud, angry scream. “Kevin! What do you mean? Your daughter is more important to you now, isn’t she?”

Dad spoke in a low voice, but the quiet night carried every word to my ears. “What are you saying? You’re my wife. Of course, you’re the most important. But Hazel is still young; she’s our daughter. Don’t be so….”

Before he could finish, Mom’s scream interrupted him. “Ahhh! Was it that brat who seduced you?”

“Okay, okay, I get it! I get it!”

"I'll go ask her right now, what exactly does it take for her to let me go!"

Moments later, my door burst open and the room lights came on all at once.

Before I could get used to the brightness, slaps and punches rained down on me. Mom’s screams echoed through the room.

“Why are you doing this to me, Hazel? What did I ever do to you?”

“I should have strangled you when you were born! No! I shouldn't have given birth to you!"

“I gave you life! Now go die!”

The pain from her slap hadn’t even gone away before her punches and kicks came again.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I stood up and pushed her back. “Enough!”

"How have you wronged me? From childhood to adulthood, what have you ever done to deserve my respect?”

“If you never wanted me, why did you give birth to me? Did I ask to be born?”

“Why do I have to keep suffering like this?”

I ignored the tears falling down my face and let out all the pain I had held in for years. My grandparents rushed into the room after hearing the noise and heard my words.

Grandma quickly held Mom up and looked at me like I was something dirty. "Hazel! Do you have any conscience at all?”

“If it weren’t for you, your mother wouldn’t have gotten depression after giving birth! Eighteen years, eighteen whole years!”