The Family I Outgrew

Paulene sat in the middle of the mess like a queen who had just claimed a throne. She looked at me and spoke with feigned sweetness.

"Who am I to deserve an apology from the princess of the family? You stole my jewelry and slapped me in the face. I'd love to see what kind of man you'll end up with someday."

The more she talked, the angrier she got. She grabbed the remote and hurled it at me.

My mother rushed forward and blocked it.

"You're still protecting her?" Paulene's eyes went wide. "She's spoiled because of you. I told you from the start that she took the jewelry. You kept saying no way. And now look!"

My mother was already shaking. She glanced at me, then forced a weak smile at Paulene.

I glared at Paulene.

"You told her I stole it?"

Then, I turned to my mother.

"What did I say last night? Mom, am I really your daughter? Growing up, every time Brian messed up, I took the blame. Does it ever end? And why would I steal Paulene's jewelry? Did she even pay for it herself? That was clearly…"

"Enough!" My mother's eyes turned red. "Why do you always drag up the past? Every time we argue, you bring it back. Brian is your brother. What's the big deal, covering for him once in a while? Blood is blood!"

I had heard that my entire life.

Blood is blood.

But somehow, it only applied when I was getting the short end of the stick. No one ever bothered to stand up for me.

Paulene stood up slowly and walked toward me.

"If you stole it, just admit it. Why twist things? Trying to throw dirt on Brian? I saw the jewelry the day you came home for your birthday. After you left, it was gone. Brian was out of town on business that whole time. He wasn't even here."

That stopped me cold.

So it wasn't Brian?

Then who?

I looked at my mother. Sweat dotted her forehead. She wouldn't meet my eyes.

"If it wasn't Brian, then who took it?" I asked.

She lowered her head and wiped at her tears.

I grabbed her arm. "Say it. Who?"

"Who else could it be?" Paulene shoved me. "Still pretending to be the victim? Fine. I'll call the police and let them lock you up. Let's see how brave you are then."

At the word police, my mother's face went even paler.

"No police!" she screamed. She looked at me, her eyes heavy with wrinkles and desperation. "Nala, please. I'll grovel if I have to. Just admit it. Do you really want this family destroyed?"

She dropped to the ground, holding my pant legs as she groveled.

I grabbed her sleeve, my hands shaking with anger. "I didn't steal anything. Why should I confess? Mom, is it that hard to tell the truth?"

She cried harder and harder until she suddenly fainted.

Everything turned chaotic.

Paulene panicked and called 911.

While the nurses were carrying my mother out on a stretcher, Paulene took advantage of the confusion and slapped me again.

"Brian's on his way back," she hissed. "Let's see how you explain this to him! You stole my jewelry and stressed your own mother into passing out. You'll get what's coming!"