I Paid for Mom’s Mistake Chapter 06
Mom only regained consciousness the next day, but she seemed mentally unstable.
She would cry as she called me Bernette and said, “I’m really sorry. I’m the reason you died. My dear Bernette, please don’t hate me.”
Sometimes, she would kneel with nothing in front of her and beg, “Let me make a deal. I’ll gladly trade my life for Bernette’s.”
Mom would kneel for hours on end until she passed out from exhaustion.
That was how she spent each day.
But curiously enough, Mom didn’t blame it on me.
Sometimes, she even looked at me as if she were walking on eggshells.
At mealtimes, I began to notice more of my favorite dishes on the table.
In the past, I had asked for cake, dresses, and a phone, and Mom had bought them all for me.
One day, I had my backpack slung over my shoulder as I headed outside.
Mom suddenly rushed up to me. She looked anxious as she tugged at my hand. “Where are you going? Are you going to leave me forever? You’re the only person I have left. Please don’t go, okay? I know you’re a good child, and I’ve been too cruel to you in the past. I swear I won’t do that ever again, okay?”
I had never seen Mom like that. For a moment, I couldn’t understand what I was hearing.
I said, “I’m not leaving forever. I’m just going on a hike. I’ll be back at night.”
Mom sighed in relief, then pulled out her phone. “Oh, a hike! That sounds nice. Let me send you some money. Is 50 dollars enough? Go ahead and spoil yourself, okay?”
If it had been before, if Mom had shown any hint of concern for me, I would have been so elated that I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night. But now, all I felt was annoyance.
She might have felt just a tiny bit of guilt toward me, but she was more terrified of being alone. She feared that she would have no one to care for her, and she would have to die alone.
I opened the door and went downstairs.
My friend, Ellen Russell, was already waiting for me.
She was standing a distance away as she waved at me. I noticed a small black cat in her arms. “Come check this out! The stray cats in your neighborhood are so cute!”
When I saw the familiar silhouette, I immediately went over to them.
Pepper still recognized me, and he even rubbed his head against my palm.
Tears instantly welled up in my eyes. “Pepper! You really are Pepper!”
I held Pepper in my arms and cried, “I’m so glad you’re alive! Oh, Pepper!”
Before I realized it, Mom was already standing behind me. She explained a little hastily, “Actually, I had no idea which stray you were feeding in the neighborhood. I just couldn’t stand seeing you play with cats and live such a
good life, but my Bernette didn’t get to enjoy anything. That’s why I lied to you and told you he’s dead.”
Mom was opening up for the first time.
Nearby, Ellen widened her eyes, confusion written all over her face.
She looked at me, feeling a little sorry for me.
I simply put on a faint smile in return.
I had already known how twisted Mom could be.
But if she had told me that from the very beginning, sure, I would have gotten upset and even tried to run away from home, but at least I wouldn’t have lived a life worse than death, burdened by guilt.
Sadly, Mom opted for the choice that would torment me the most.
I would probably never forgive her for the rest of my life.
Reaching out, Mom took the little cat from my arms. “He’s quite lucky to have slipped past the shelter workers. Let me have him. I can take care of him for you. You can always play with him when you come back over the summer and winter breaks.”
I knew Mom was scared that I would be gone for good.
She was trying to use Pepper to keep me tied to her.
I didn’t want to spend another second in that house, but I had to admit that I wasn’t fully independent yet. I had tuition and living expenses to worry about, and I also needed someone to take care of Pepper for me.
So, I allowed Mom to have Pepper.
Mom smiled for the first time in the last few days. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of him.”
I nodded without another word.
The start of the semester rolled around in no time.
Mom packed my luggage for me, and she even gave me enough money to cover the tuition and my living expenses.
“Just tell me if you’re running low on cash. If you ever get hurt, feel free to tell me about it, too. Come back for a visit whenever you’re free. You’re the only one I have left.”
Mom choked up a little when she said the last sentence.
But I didn’t buy it. “You’re the one who has hurt me the most, so don’t worry about it. When I leave this place, no one will be able to hurt me as much as you did.”
