I clamped a hand over the wound, staring at my father's ashen face. Too terrified to make a sound.
"What are you standing there for?" He snapped his gaze to me. "You cursed your grandmother to death. Get out of my sight!"
He grabbed the nearest object—the pink schoolbag—and hurled it at me. It hit my chest with a dull thud.
Tears mingled with blood as I clutched the bag. I shrank back, retreating out of the main hall.
Looking down at the crimson stains on the pink fabric, my throat tightened until I couldn't breathe.
*Actually, just this morning...*
Grandma had taken me to my parents' house. She told them I was old enough for school and asked Dad to buy me supplies.
Dad looked at me with disgust as I hid behind Grandma's legs. "What school does a jinx go to? She can stay home, cut grass, and feed the cows. Keep that unlucky thing away from me."
Grandma turned to Mom. Mom grabbed a broom and swept the dust toward Grandma's feet. "Go, go! Don't bring your bad luck to my doorstep. If her father won't buy it, why should I? Hurry up and take the jinx away."
Grandma had sighed. Defeated. She led me back to our small shack.