Tables Turned

I had no idea how I ended up on the street.

Why didn't anyone pick up my calls?

My hands shook as I struggled to find that one photo on my cracked, old phone.

"Carol, you're incredible, earning enough to buy your own phone and even taking a photo with us. You're definitely the toughest one of us all!"

That was the only picture I had with my brothers.

I cherished that phone like a treasure, never replacing it even though smartphones were everywhere these days.

In the end, what good did it do? It was just one photo with them, while they had countless with Jasmine...

They were all fakes!

The screen, already splintered, was beyond repair after I tossed it in frustration, much like the bond I once shared with them.

I had sacrificed so much for them, dropped out of St. Albion University to ease their load, worked myself to the bone with three jobs a day until I was sick, I even missed my chance to move up and out to a thriving city, all because I skimmed on my injury trying to save them.

All this while, my pain meant nothing to them. While I suffered, they spoiled another girl without a second thought about me.

I dragged myself to an empty corner, bleeding anew. The piercing wind numbed the pain in my legs.

Right before I lost consciousness, clarity hit me, and a fierce will to live surged through my veins.

Surviving was the ultimate revenge.

I started from the bottom, scavenged for scraps, rationed myself to one bun a day, and even dragged my injured legs through the city. When the pain became unbearable, I held myself tight and bore with it. I even wrapped my bleeding wounds with whatever rags I had. As the coins in my hand slowly added up, nearing the sum I needed for treatment, a long-lost smile crept across my face.

That day, a buddy of mine who picks up recyclables around gave me a shout. He told me about that massive movie theater opening up, looking for folks to come clean the place. He said there would be a ton of empty bottles to snag afterwards.

I was all in, no second thoughts. It was a heck of a trek and still pitch black outside, but I started hobbling my way there.

When I got there, I was about to check in when I spotted four familiar figures.

I recognized that sassy voice in a heartbeat.

"Hey, let's bring Carol along. Bet she's never even seen a screen."

"She didn't bother with college, she's just a no-good cripple. Why should we waste a fancy movie on her? Please."

"Jasmine, sweetheart, don't let that waste of space scare you by showing up here."

"What happened to the cleaner we were promised? Get this place spick and span, Jasmine can't have a speck of dirt on her."

If they didn't love me, why did they insist on keeping me tied down with family ties?

Right before the movie started, I tightened the bandage on my leg and made my way over to them. "Good evening, ladies and gents, I am..."