Chapter 1 - The Breaking Point
“What is my problem?” I repeated, my voice dropping to a dangerously quiet whisper.
Brenda’s smug expression faltered for just a fraction of a second.
She wasn't used to me speaking back to her.
She was used to the quiet, compliant Sarah who always opened her wallet to keep the peace.
“My problem is that I just pushed a human being out of my body completely alone,” I said, my voice shaking with a rage I didn't know I possessed.
“My problem is that while I was bleeding on a hospital bed, you couldn't even text to see if I survived.”
“You only reached out because Jessica’s kids needed expensive toys.”
Brenda puffed up her chest, ready to launch into her usual guilt trip.
“They are not toys, Sarah, they are for school!” she screamed, pointing a perfectly manicured finger in my face.
“Family helps family, and you are being incredibly selfish right now.”
I looked at her finger, then at her angry face, and finally down at my beautiful, innocent daughter.
Maya had stopped crying and was looking up at me with wide, dark eyes.
“Family does help family,” I agreed softly, looking back up at my mother.
“But you are not my family anymore.”
Brenda gasped, taking a dramatic step back as if I had physically slapped her.
“Excuse me?” she sputtered, her face turning a deep shade of purple.
“You heard me,” I said, standing taller despite the physical pain radiating through my recovering body.
“I am a mother now, and my only job is to protect this little girl from toxic people.”
“That includes you, Brenda.”
I stepped back into the doorway and placed my hand on the doorknob.
“Do not ever come to my house uninvited again.”
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Before she could form another toxic sentence, I slammed the heavy wooden door directly in her face.
I threw the deadbolt, locking her out of my life for good.
