Chapter 2
Grandma arrived at dusk.
She moved slowly with a basket of greens, her back hunched over.
Seeing the empty house and me standing there, her cloudy eyes filled with heartache.
"Charlotte, they're gone?"
I nodded, "Gone."
Grandma set her basket down and stroked my hair.
Her hands were rough and smelled of earth, but they were so warm.
"Don't be afraid. You're with me now."
I went home with my grandmother.
It was a cramped apartment in a crumbling complex on the edge of Green Valley.
We used a curtain to divide the tiny living area; one side was my bed, the other was our table.
Life became very tight.
Grandma supported us on her pittance of a pension and by recycling scrap.
Meat was a rare luxury for us.
I wore the same school sweater for three years until the cuffs were frayed.
My parents called from Veridia once in a while.
Every single time, it was Margaret on the line.
Her voice was always hurried, carrying a tone of condescending charity.
"Charlotte? Your father and I are doing well.
"Michael just won another scholarship. His professors adore him.
"I've sent over $200 for your expenses. Make it last.
"I've got to go—long-distance rates to Veridia are a nightmare."
She never once asked how I was doing.
Never asked about my schoolwork.
Never asked if Grandma was healthy.
Her world was just Michael's success and counting every penny spent on me.
Once, I couldn't help but ask, "How's Dad?"
The other end went silent for a moment.
Then Margaret snapped, "He's working three jobs to pay for Michael's tuition! He doesn't have time."
I never asked again.
I would just listen and quietly hang up the phone.
I'd hand that cold pittance of money over to Grandma along with their frozen concern.
Grandma would always sigh and try to push the money back.
"I have enough. Keep it to buy yourself a treat."
I knew she had nothing.
I saved every cent for my tuition and workbooks.
I wasn't that sobbing little girl anymore.
I learned that begging was useless.
The only person I could rely on was myself.
I began to study like my life depended on it.
Not to prove anything to them.
But to build a future where I could escape.
A future where I never had to answer to anyone.
Michael got into Aethelgard University.
Margaret told me the news over the phone, her voice dripping with pride.
"Charlotte, Michael did it! He's brought so much honor to the family!
"The whole family depends on him now.
"You better work hard, too—don't you dare embarrass him."
Surprisingly, she stayed on the line for a few more sentences that day.
"Your father is working himself to death for Michael's tuition.
"You need to be mature and stop being a burden to your grandmother."
Every single word was about how hard they had it.
Every word was about how great Michael was.
And I was just an afterthought, expected to stay "mature" and out of the way.
I listened calmly and gave a one-word reply.
"Fine."
After hanging up, I saw Grandma quietly wiping away tears.
She was hurting for me.
I walked over and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm okay, Grandma."
I meant it.
My heart had already left with that car twenty years ago.
What was left was just a shell, surviving out of habit.
Like Dad said, he had no time to waste on me.
And they, too, were burning through what was left of my affection.
Until it was completely spent.
And gone forever.