When Will My Parents Ever Praise Me?

Mom was so furious that she kicked the washing machine. "You're still trying to argue with me?"

"No, Mom!" I thought.

Soon, the water would fill the entire drum. I wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

Part of me started wishing the water would rise faster so Mom would finally realize something was wrong and let me out.

After the beep sounded, I forced myself to brace my limbs against the walls of the machine. I told myself to hold on a little longer. As soon as Mom opened that door, I would be saved.

However, the washing machine started spinning again, and Dad walked over with Olivia in his arms. "Babe, stop wasting your breath on Sabrina. We have to get to the hospital."

No…

I watched as Mom turned her back on me and left. Then, the front door slammed shut.

A second later, the washing machine began to spin violently. Everything whirled around me. I was tossed around inside like a discarded rag.

When I opened my eyes again, I was floating in mid-air.

My first thought was that I had been rescued, and I wanted to run out and find them.

I was scared I would make them angry again, so I obediently stayed home and fell asleep among my Barbie dolls.

I didn't know how long it had been before the front door finally opened again.

Mom and Dad came back with Olivia in their arms. They were also carrying a huge electric toy car.

"Thank goodness Olivia is okay. Sabrina would've been in huge trouble if anything had happened to her. Our little girl took such a hit today. This car is her reward for being so brave!"

Then, Mom deliberately raised her voice, directing it toward the laundry room. "From now on, whoever gets hurt gets a present! And the bully gets locked away!"

Mom and Dad shared a look, tilting their heads to catch any sound coming from the machine, but all they heard was silence.

They frowned. A cold laugh escaped their lips.

"See? She's still sulking. If she wants to stay in there so badly, let her. The washer isn't even running. It's not like she's going to die."

I hovered right in front of them.

"Mom, Dad, I'm right here. Can't you see me? I'm not sulking. Please, don't talk about me like that anymore."

I spoke to them incessantly, but they acted as though I wasn't there. Not once did their eyes meet mine, not even for a fleeting second.

I wanted to touch them, but my hand passed right through their bodies.

That was when I finally realized I might have died in the washing machine.

I ran over to take a look. A small figure was curled up in the washing machine. Her body was twisted grotesquely.

Was that me?

I turned around and watched as Mom and Dad played with Olivia.

Forget it.

This was their punishment for me. Maybe this was for the better. At least now I wouldn't have to worry about changing Olivia's diapers anymore.

Ever since Olivia was born, Mom and Dad hadn't spent time alone with me in a very long time. Now, I could stay with them forever.

I tamped down the heavy feeling in my chest and forced myself to smile at them.

At dinner, Dad made my favorite steak.

After they fed Olivia, they sat at the table. Their expressions were tense. They were glancing toward the washing machine.

Dad spoke first. "Sabrina, come out and eat."

The house remained quiet, save for Olivia's babbling.

Mom's frustration boiled over, and she set her fork down hard. "Fine, you can starve for all I care. I'm tired of your tantrums. You made a mistake, and now you're the one throwing a fit? If you don't want dinner, then don't eat ever again!

"I might as well have given birth to a monster. Everyone says you can't be perfectly fair once the second baby comes, but I really thought if we treated you well, you'd be good to your sister. Instead, we just raised a spoiled, arrogant brat.

"Just leave her be. It's not like it's comfortable in that machine. She's always been soft. There's no way she'd stay in there that long. She probably ran back to her room already."

I stood right beside them and listened. Her words made my eyes sting.

"Mom, I didn't do it. I only wanted to help you bathe Olivia," I thought.