"Pfft... isn't it natural for a sister to give to her brother?" my brother retorted with self-righteousness.
"Exactly, after all, she's going to get married, and even if she takes the money back, it'll just go to someone else's family."
***
I stood still, the sun beating down mercilessly, yet I felt a chill deep in my bones.
Maybe it was because I had walked too far.
My body and mind were utterly exhausted.
My eyes were sweating from the heat—it was just too hot.
But it's okay. My younger sister is closest to me. She would always be on my side no matter what.
I stood there for a long time. Then my mom came out with the trash and ran into me.
She had a hint of surprise on her face, but in the next second, she quickly forced a smile, "When did you get here? Why didn't you call?"
"I did call, but you didn't answer," I replied coldly.
Mom put down the trash and led me inside, explaining, "We just moved here, there's a lot to do, and I forgot to tell you. But I know you're always smart, so I figured you'd find your way here."
She opened a new pair of disposable slippers for me from a collection of styles in the shoe cabinet.