Chapter 19. Burdens and Bargains

Linda Wells

“Shame? When have I ever brought shame to this family?” I ask him in annoyance.

I feel triggered by what my dad just said. I am pissed, and I am also hurt.

“I have done everything that you people have wanted me to do, I have been the most perfect child. Why else do you people want from me?!” I raise my voice.

“You don’t have to keep talking to them, you could end the call right now,” Ben whispers to me, but I ignore him.

“You? Done everything that we told you? Did you do medicine in college as we advised you to?” My dad laughs as he asks.

“You know what? I am done with you people trying to control my life, I am sick of it. You two call yourselves parents, but is that true? Do you know the amount of time I felt like I was a stranger in my own family?” I reply to him, we are literally having a full-blown argument.

“I don’t like that you’re painting us to be bad parents,” my mom joins the conversation again.

“Where’s Ben? Is h