Chapter 5

I went to Uncle John's place first. He was my father's older brother and usually pretty easygoing.

I stood at his door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.

Uncle John and Aunt Linda were eating. The moment they saw me, they quickly told me to sit down.

I didn't sit. I stayed where I was and explained everything, how I got into college and how my family wouldn't pay my tuition. "Uncle John, please lend me 2,700 dollars. Once I get to college, I'll work and pay you back as soon as I can." I bent at the waist and gave him a deep bow.

The smile on Uncle John's face vanished instantly. He looked at Aunt Linda, and both of them seemed uncomfortable. "It's not that I don't want to help. Things are tight for us too. You know James is getting married soon, and money's needed everywhere."

Aunt Linda quickly added, "Exactly. We're strapped too. We really can't spare a cent. You should try someone else." Looking at them, I understood. They just didn't want to lend me the money. I didn't say anything else. I turned and left.

After that, I went to every relative I could ask, and it was the same everywhere. Some shut the door in my face. Others pretended to be poor and brushed me off.

Not one person was willing to lend me money. They all said my family was dirt poor, and if they lent me anything, I'd never pay it back. Why make a losing bet?

Some relatives even looked at me with open mockery. "So what if you got into a good university? If you're poor, you should accept it. Insisting on studying is just wishful thinking." "Even your own parents won't deal with you. Why should we? Go home already."

I walked under the blazing sun, sweat soaking my clothes, yet my heart felt colder than ever. That was when I truly understood how thin family ties could be, and how cold people really were.

Just when I was completely crushed and about to leave the last relative's house, Cousin Grace grabbed my arm. She pulled me aside and lowered her voice. "Don't be stupid. Your dad isn't broke at all. He just doesn't want to spend money on you."

My head snapped up. I stared at Cousin Grace, shock filling my eyes.

"Grace, what did you just say?"

"Last time I went into town, I saw your dad at the bank. He deposited over 10,000 dollars in one shot. That didn't look like a poor man to me."

Cousin Grace spoke softly. "He's pretending to be poor on purpose so he won't have to pay for your education. Don't let him fool you." I stood there frozen, my whole body stiff, my head buzzing. He was pretending to be poor? He had money in his hands, but he still wouldn't pay my tuition?

Those eighteen years of hardship, those eighteen years of swallowing pain, were they all fake? I looked at Cousin Grace, my lips trembling, unable to say a word. Then I turned and ran for home. Only one thought filled my head. I had to go back and ask what the hell was really going on.

I ran as fast as I could, the shock and confusion inside me almost swallowing me whole. If what Cousin Grace said was true, then what had the last eighteen years of my life even been?