Reflecting on it now, I realized how I had bent over backwards to cover for Juniper, only to find myself with nothing but resentment in return. Instead of earning her favor, she’d seized every opportunity to pin the blame on me. This time, I was determined to stay one step ahead.
I called my mother and said, “Mom, my local scholarship came through! Remember how I promised to buy you that massager? Why don’t you come out with me for shopping. That way, we can choose one together!”
I knew just how to hit the right note with her.
My mom wasn’t just a fervent supporter of favoring sons over daughters; she was also ridiculously stingy.
Whenever money came in, it was always funneled straight into Randal’s pockets. Not only did she never save a penny for me, but she also delighted in squeezing every last cent out of me.
So when she heard I was offering to buy her a massager, she dropped everything and stopped her square dancing on a dime.
"That sounds great! Come pick me up right away!"
I grabbed a cab to pick up my mother and told her that the car was parked at Juniper's family home because they needed it.