Cutting Ties with Biased Family

Synopsis

The day I got accepted into one of the top universities, my entire family was celebrating my brother buying a house. The dining table was loaded with food: steak, lobster, clam chowder. Mom was grinning from ear to ear as she raised her glass. She said, "Today’s a big day for our family. James finally bought his house!" I stood in the doorway, my acceptance letter clutched tightly in my hand. No one looked at me. I opened my mouth, wanting to say something. Mom glanced at me. She said, "Go bring the soup out from the kitchen." I lowered my eyes to the acceptance letter in my hand. It had been eighteen years. Everything they wanted to cut away had already been cut away. But what was meant to grow? They couldn't cut that down anymore.