The words rolled off my tongue as a voice deep inside was awoken. “I’m tired of being told I am
spoiled and ungrateful. You do not realize the countless nights I spent crying in my bedroom,
wounded by your words. Nobody deserves to be treated that way. I constantly worry about
whether you will burst or not when I should be worried about myself. Every day you complain and raise your voice over little things that shouldn’t matter. It’s exhausting. Do not take me the wrong way. I am grateful to have been born into such a fortunate life. With that, stability means I can take risks and I can make mistakes without stressing about overdue taxes and medical bills. You hold me back, and I completely understand your reasoning. You don’t want to see me fail nor deal with the burden or being a bad parent. But you know what? Failure is what makes you grow. Pain teaches you more than settling on the comfortable side of life ever will. I might fall. You might have been right all along and going to college would have been the better option. But I cannot live with myself, knowing I was scared. I didn’t try. I failed myself.” I exhaled a shaky breath, recomposing myself. “All I am asking is you give me a chance because I cannot die with regrets. Isn’t that a greater pain? To realize you held your child back and deprived them of happiness? Please. If my plans do not work out within a couple months, then I will do as you say and go to college. I just want to try.” I gazed up at them with glassy eyes and a childish fear. For a moment, neither dared to return my stare. And then I heard it, the sharp, deafening-
“No.”
“What? I- ” my voice cracked, “Please, can’t we come up with a compromise? I’ll do whatever it
takes. Maybe-”
“I said no, Allie.” She commanded. “I am not budging on this. Let’s be frank. Society will always
judge people without a college degree. I know that you want to follow your dreams, but there are so many other girls and boys out there saying the same thing. So many other people will work just as hard as you, fight just as hard to see their name on a billboard. How are you any different?” The truth I had been denying spewed out of my mother’s mouth. I blinked back tears, stunned.
“Give me time. I’ll show you- ” I pleaded, desperation filling my voice.
“Time? We gave you time.” She scoffed. “How much longer do you want us to wait, Allie? You have had months, years, to decide yet failed to come to a conclusion. We’re tired of empty promises.”
“And I’m tired of you!” I raised my voice, hot tears streaming down my red cheeks.
“How dare you say that to your mother!” my father suddenly interjected, stabbing me in the back.
“It’s the truth! I feel trapped here.” I screeched.
“You ungrateful little girl,” she seethed. “We gave you everything and this is how you treat us?!”
“A thousand $2 tee-shirts and lectures on why I put the dishes in the wrong way will never
amount to happiness!” I cried.
“I am warning you. This is your last chance to redeem yourself. If you dare speak up again, you are no longer welcome in this house.” Her tone was calm, yet her eyes pierced me like daggers.
“Then I might as well pack up now.” I shot back.