Chapter 7
er went
After that summer, I never
back except to visit Grandma during holidays. I didn’t see Casey either.[]
After Casey got tired of her hip–hop phase, she started looking for work. With her limited education and skills, she ended up washing dishes at a fried chicken place and started dating some gang member.
Dad was completely against the relationship, but Casey threatened suicide if he interfered. He had no choice but to let them be.[]
Around that time, I was preparing for my TOEFL exam. After months of hard work, I received an acceptance letter from Columbia University. Mom was so thrilled she took me back to our hometown to celebrate with a big dinner party.
Casey came too, she looked at me with a strange expression. Oddly enough, she was unusually nice to me, which caught me of guard.]
figured maybe she’d finally grown up and matured.]
What I didn’t expect was Dad showing up that evening with a bag of gifts.]
He bombarded me with questions–asking where my school was located, when I was leaving, how the application process worked, and whether I had an acceptance letter he could see.
I didn’t think twice about showing him the letter. Dad examined it with a smile spreading across his face.
After he left, I realized my acceptance letter was missing.
Mom and I turned Grandma’s house upside down looking for it, but it was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, it hit me–Dad must have taken it!
Mom tried calling him, but he wouldn’t answer. She sent messages, but he didn’t respond.
Furious, she stormed over to Dad’s place.
“Dave, tell me right now–did you take Riley’s acceptance letter?“]
Dad shrugged like it was no big deal. “So what if I did? Casey didn’t get into college. I just wanted to show her what it looks like.”
“The girls look so similar. Riley can just apply again next year, Casey can take this spot instead!”
I was absolutely stunned when I heard this.
“Dad, what did you just say?‘
“You heard me. Casey is our family’s princess–she deserves the best. Since she didn’t get into college, she can take your spot. You’re smart enough to apply again next year, right?“]
His stupidity made me laugh out loud. “She didn’t get in because she didn’t study. Why should I pay for her laziness? I’m not doing it!“]
“What’s wrong with you, Riley? You’re sisters–you don’t need to make this difficult. Listen to your father. Soon our family will
have two college graduates!“]
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Dad, do you realize that if this gets out, you could go to jail?”
Dad dismissed my warning. “That’s ridiculous. How could I go to jail? I didn’t steal anything!”
I was stunned all over again by his twisted logic. Mom didn’t waste another second–she called the police right then and there. With both audio and video evidence, the police arrived and gave Dad a serious lecture. Only then did he realize what he’d done was actually illegal.]]
But Casey wasn’t having it. “No! Dad, I need to go to college tool I have to go!“]
I couldn’t resist pouring gasoline on the fire. “You can’t. Your grades are too terrible.”
She burst into tears, and Dad snapped at me, “Do you have to keep provoking her?“]
I shrugged. “You can’t just show up with an acceptance letter. Does Casey have proper ID?“||
Dad grabbed my arm. “Riley, I know I’ve wronged you, but this is your sister’s only wish. Can’t you help her fulfill it? You two. could switch identities, couldn’t you?”
“It’s just a three–year age difference! You’re sisters who look alike–it would work perfectly!“]
I looked at my father’s face and couldn’t help but smirk coldly. Clearly, he hadn’t listened to a word Mom had said before.[]
I yanked my arm away. “You can’t be serious!“[]
Casey lunged from behind and grabbed me. “Dad, don’t let her leave!“]
“Get back here!” he shouted.
Mom had finally had enough. She stepped forward and slapped Casey hard across the face!]
Dad roared at Mom, “jenna, how dare you hit her?!“]
Mom was trembling with rage. “Dave, look what you’ve turned her into! Identity theft? That’s prison time! If you want to spend. the rest of your life behind bars, be my guest“]
Casey was completely losing it. “But you promised! Dad, you promised I was the princess of this family!“]
Dad held her while Mom and I walked out. After retrieving my acceptance letter, we immediately left town to travel before the semester started.
