Chapter 2

2

The next day, as expected, the whole town knew I'd eaten all the food and left nothing for Ronnie.

Ronnie cried and whined, "It's not like I had to eat it, but she ate enough for four people! It's just so mean!"

Mom patted her head and comforted her, "She was raised by your grandma, what does she know about manners? Ronnie, don't ever be like her!"

This time, no one agreed with them, no one praised Ronnie's cuteness or Mom's competence.

"Where did the Johnsons get meat?"

"Are they talking about the snails Jenny collected yesterday?"

"I passed their house last night, and I clearly heard Ronnie say she wouldn't eat the snails because they were dirty…"

"They came back from the city all dressed up, but they didn't bring Jenny a single thing. How dare they demand she cook meat for them?"

"That Theresa, Jenny's mom, she's got a heart of coal…"

Mom heard all the gossip, and she didn't leave the house to show off her city-slicker status again.

As for me, I continued to collect pigweed every day. I fattened up the pig and asked Mr. Miller, the town elder, to sell it for me. That would cover my tuition for the next year.

Mr. Miller looked at the half-grown pig and advised me to wait a couple more months.

I said, "Tomorrow is Grandma's burial. They'll go back to the city and sell my pig…"

Rather than let them sell it and give me a few scraps while expecting gratitude, I'd rather sell it myself.

Money is only truly yours when it's in your pocket.

That evening, Dad discovered the pig was gone and came to confront me.

"Where's the pig?"

"Sold."

"Where's the money?"

"That's my tuition for the next year. Do you want it?"

Dad opened and closed his mouth, speechless.

"You haven't given me a penny all these years. I've paid for my own schooling by raising pigs and chickens. If you really want it, you can have it."

A rare look of guilt flickered across Dad's face. He gave an awkward smile.

"I don't want your money. I'm just worried you're too young to manage it."

I nodded, noncommittal.

He fumbled in his pockets and finally pulled out a crumpled ten-dollar bill.

"Your mom's tight with money. This is cigarette money I saved."

I took it.

He looked slightly relieved.

The next day, after Grandma's funeral, Mom was eager to pack up and return to the city.

I went to the chicken coop and caught the remaining five chickens.

Dad stood awkwardly outside the coop, watching me. "Um, your mom asked me to…"

He stared at the chickens in my hands.

In my past life, Mom took all the chickens and eggs to nourish Ronnie, while I drank her leftover, watered-down soup, which Ronnie called "beggar's broth."

This time, I generously offered them one chicken.

"Sorry for the poor hospitality these past few days. Take this chicken back with you."

Dad fumbled in his pockets again but came up empty.

He took the chicken, making small talk.

"Hurry up, we need to catch the last bus back to the city."

I nodded.

I took the remaining four chickens and eggs to Mr. Miller's.

When I returned, Mom and Ronnie had already left for the city.

She couldn't bear to stay in this place a second longer.