When Love Locked by Mark Twain 3
Chapter 3 Counting Every Little Thing
Chapter 3 Counting Every Little Thing
Mom noticed and her expression soured.
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“What? Not enough money for you? You’ve been throwing a tantrum since before dinner, wouldn’t even eat, and you’re still not done?”
I kept my voice steady. “You gave Stella the keys to an Audi. You gave me 43.7 dollars in loose change.”
Mom’s tone dripped with exasperation. “Gift-giving is just symbolic anyway. I can’t believe you actually counted how much was in there…”
“Then why didn’t you give me the Audi if it’s just symbolic?” I asked.
Stella’s voice shot up about three octaves. “Why are you being so petty about this? You already gave the car away, so what does it matter who has it now?”
I let out a cold laugh. “I’m being petty?”
I bent down and suddenly flipped the dining table. “This is what petty looks like!”
Gravy and chunks of turkey went flying everywhere and splattered across the floor.
Stella shrieked. “My hair! I just got it done!”
Mom grabbed Stella and yanked her back. “Have lost
you
your mind, Ava?”
They all scrambled around trying to find clean spots to stand.
I didn’t say a word. I just walked over and unplugged the AC unit, turned off the fridge, and pulled out the computer cables too.
I’d paid for all of it. If I was so petty, then nobody was keeping any of it.
After I finished, I pulled out my phone. “Hi, is this the moving company? I need to move a bunch of appliances today. Money’s not an issue.”
While they were all screaming, I snatched the car keys right out of Stella’s hand and walked out without looking back.
I took my stuff and all those appliances back to the city where my office was, which was in the next state over.
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Chapter 3 Counting Every Little Thing
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I’d originally thought living close to home would make it easier to take care of my parents, but now that just seemed like a bad joke.
When I finally had a moment to breathe, I pulled out the gift box I’d been carrying in my pocket this whole time. It was the Thanksgiving present I’d planned to give Mom.
I took out the gold necklace and put it on myself. The gold looked really good against my skin.
My parents were just as stubborn. They both ignored me for the entire rest of the holiday season, like they’d coordinated it or something.
Then the mortgage payment came due.
My phone started ringing nonstop. The caller ID kept flashing between Mom and Dad.
I waited a full hour before I finally picked up.
The second I answered, her furious voice blasted through. “Ava, you’re not even answering your mother’s calls anymore? What’s gotten into you?”
I kept my tone casual. “Didn’t hear it. What’s up? Need something?”
“I need to know why you disconnected the mortgage payments! The charges are hitting my account now!”
Her tone was as suffocating as ever.
My voice stayed flat. “I don’t have a job. How am I supposed to pay a mortgage?”
“You still haven’t found work?” Mom’s voice went shrill. “It’s been ten days since
Thanksgiving and you haven’t even looked for a new job? Are you planning to just sit around and become worthless?”
Then she kept going. “Ava, I’m covering this month’s mortgage for you, and you can pay me back whenever you find a job. But the fridge and the washer need to come back to this house right now!”
I almost laughed. “I bought those with my own money. What do they have to do with you?”
When Mom heard my tone change, she paused for a second and then switched to this fake sweet voice, like she was doing me some huge favor.
“Ava, we don’t have a fridge here. I don’t even know where to put the leftovers. You know I’ve been poor my whole life and had it rough.
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Chapter 3 Counting Every Little Thing
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“And the washer too. I’ve been hand-washing everyone’s clothes for days now. My back is killing me, and my hands are so dry they’re about to crack and bleed.”
Listening to her play the victim, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “No fridge? No washer? Then ask your precious daughter Stella to buy you some. Why are you calling me?”
Mom dropped the act immediately. “Stella barely makes any money! How can you be such a petty sister? You’re really gonna nickel and dime your own sister over her measly paycheck?
“I always knew you were like this, even as a kid. Counting every little thing. Just look at Thanksgiving! You complained about the food, you complained about the gift, and honestly? I’m too tired to even deal with you anymore. Do you act like this at work too?”
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