Chapter 2

At 7 AM the next morning, Dad sent a work schedule to the family chat on WhatsApp.

It listed out all my chores for the next seven days.

I'd have to open the corner store at 6:30 AM, pick up the milk at 8 AM, and restock the fridge at noon.

I needed to call up the suppliers to restock in the afternoon.

I'd also close up the store and do the books at 11 PM.

And the last line showed: [Give the dog its meds, twice a day.]

It was like nothing had happened last night.

Mom sent a voice message right after.

She said, "Summer, everyone was upset last night, and we said things we didn't mean.

"Your dad already got new tickets. They cost a lot more, but Claire hardly wants to go out, and we can't let her down.

"Check out the schedule. It's the same as usual.

"The store's full of regulars, and it puts our minds at ease knowing you're there."

I stared at the words "same as usual."

For the past ten years, every time they went on a trip, they'd send me a schedule like this.

I'd book their tickets, check the weather, and figure out their itinerary.

Before they left, I'd pack their bags for them.

While they were gone, I'd run the corner store, restock the shelves, feed the dog, and answer calls from relatives for them.

When they got back, I'd be the one picking them up from the airport.

Mom would hand me a fridge magnet or a box of smashed pastries.

"We bought this especially for you," she'd say. "We went, so it's like you went too."

I used to believe it.

I thought they couldn't leave the store with no one there, and I always thought, maybe next time, it'd be my turn.

*****

At nine in the morning, I headed to the corner store.

Dad was crouched by the door, stacking up boxes of drinks.

When he saw me come in, he straightened up.

"Now that's better," he said. "Families argue sometimes, but don't take it to heart."

I didn't say anything.

I placed the store keys, the warehouse keys, and the backup cash register key on the counter.

Then I slipped the restock list, supplier contacts, weekly inventory sheet, and the dog's feeding schedule into a folder.

Dad's hand stopped mid-reach for the keys.

"What are you doing with all these?" he asked.

"Handover," I said.

"Handover? What do you mean?"

"Who's going to run the store while you're gone? That's for you to figure out."

Dad's face fell.

"Summer, don't go too far," he said. "First you won't let us take the trip, and now you're refusing to handle the store. What's your deal?"

"I'm not stopping you from going," I said. "I'm not paying for it anymore, and I'm not staying behind to run the store."

"The money this store makes will end up with you and Claire anyway," Dad said, trying to keep his cool. "Is it such a big deal to help out at your family's store for a few days?"

I said, "The money from the store goes into your accounts.

"You're the ones who buy the stock and handle the books.

"Every time I stay behind, I don't get paid or any share of the profits.

"But when it's time for someone to work, suddenly it's the whole family's store?"

Dad pushed the keys back toward me. "Don't get so hung up on this.

"You've grown up here, having food and a place to stay because of us. Shouldn't you help us out?"

Mom came out from the back as Dad finished talking.

She snatched up the keys and shoved them straight into my bag.

"Alright. Your dad's blunt. Don't talk back to him.

"It's only seven days. When we get back, I'll get you something nice," she said.

I pressed her hand down and set the keys back on the counter.

"I don't want your gift," I told her. "And I'm not staying to run the store."

Mom's smile vanished.

"You're really going to tear the family apart over some paper?

"Claire's not well, and she can't do the stocktaking. Your dad's got a bad back, so he can't be lifting things all day. And I need to take care of Claire. If you don't stay, who will?" she said.

"We could hire someone," I said.

"How much would that cost for a day?" Dad raised his voice. "What if something goes missing with some stranger holding the keys to the store?"

"Then we could close the store."

Dad pointed at me. "Do you have any idea how much we'd be out if we shut down for a day?"

"I know."

I crunched the numbers for them more times than I could remember.

I always knew how much they'd lose, but they never thought about taking me with them.

They couldn't stand missing a day's profit.

They wouldn't let a stranger run the store.

And leaving Claire behind? That was out of the question.

In the end, it always had to be me.

I wrote down the numbers for two temp agencies nearby.

"Hire someone, close the store, or you can stay and run it yourselves," I said. "It's your choice.

"Stop sending me those work schedules."

I turned and walked out.

Dad was yelling after me, calling me an ungrateful daughter.

Mom chased after me to the door.

"Summer, if you walk out today, don't expect us to help with your wedding!" she shouted.

I stopped in my tracks.

Evan had helped Claire with the draw.

My parents had decided I'd be the one left behind.

Yet they still thought the wedding would be enough to control me.

I didn't look back.

"Then don't bother," I said.