Chapter 3

Mike and Brenda' s house felt wrong, like a stranger wearing my clothes.

It used to be my house, before Mike left.

Now, Brenda' s frilly curtains and cheap knick-knacks were everywhere.

"We need to discuss this like adults," Mike said, leading me into the living room. Kevin trailed behind me, his shoulders slumped.

"There's nothing to discuss, Mike. Kevin earned that scholarship. Chad didn't."

Mike sat on the sofa, pulling Brenda down next to him. "Now, Sarah, the committee felt Chad was more deserving. He's shown a lot of improvement."

Improvement in what? Bullying?

Brenda chimed in, "Chad has so much potential, Sarah. He just needs a chance."

I looked at Kevin. His face was pale.

This was a nightmare. A repeat, but somehow worse because I knew what was coming.

Later, Kevin was in his old room, or what was left of it.

He' d built a model airplane with my dad, his grandpa. A beautiful B-17. It always sat on the dresser.

Chad walked in. We heard a crash.

We rushed in. The model plane was in pieces on the floor.

Chad had a smirk on his face. "Oops."

Kevin' s eyes filled with tears. "Grandpa made that with me."

Mike came in. He looked at the broken plane, then at Kevin.

"What's all this junk doing in here anyway, Kevin? You're too old for toys."

Junk. My father' s memory, Kevin' s treasure, was junk.

"He broke it on purpose!" I said, my voice shaking.

Mike sighed. "Sarah, don't start. It was an accident. Chad, say you're sorry."

"Sorry," Chad mumbled, not looking sorry at all.

I wanted to scream.

I remembered all the years I' d supported Mike, worked two jobs while he was "finding himself" after leaving the army before joining the Guard.

All the sacrifices I made for our family.

For him to treat his own son like this, to stand by while this new woman and her brat destroyed everything.

Mike pulled me aside later. "Look, Sarah, I know this is hard. But the scholarship, it's done. If you make a fuss, it' ll only hurt Kevin more. People will talk. It' ll look bad for me, for my position."

His position. That' s all he cared about.

Kevin came to me, his voice small. "Mom, it's okay. I don't need the scholarship. I can get a job."

He was giving up. Just like before.

My heart ached. No. Not this time.