Page 24 - Contrast2015
P. 24

When I was home throughout that week, I
           could keep my mother out of my room. When
           I had to be at school for graduation practice
           and other assemblies, I trusted that my aunt
           and uncle could keep her out. Unfortunately,
           they could not. While my uncle napped and
           my class practiced walking across the stage,
           my mother decided to begin “cleaning.” When
           I came home, I was furious. My uncle
           apologized for not being awake and able to
           stop her.

                “You know I can’t keep still for more than
           five minutes!” my mom explained. It wasn’t
           her fault, of course not—I should have known
           better. Regardless, she promised not to do it
           again.

                The next day, the same thing happened. I
           had an event at school, my uncle was sleeping,
           and my mother continued her “cleaning,”
           which oddly had to begin with shoving all of
           my clothes onto my bed and floor. I cried this
           time, even more furious that she had explicitly
           said she would not bother my room.

                “Are you calling me a liar?” my mother
           asked, aghast.

                “You said you would do one thing, and
           then you did the exact opposite!” I shouted.

                My uncle agreed, nodding his head and
           nervously laughing, as he often did when
           dealing with his sisters. “That is the definition
           of lying.” I hoped that if she wouldn’t listen to

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