Golden Cage Mommy Mutiny (Elyse) novel Chapter 56

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Chapter 4

I thought my grandma on Mom’s side was reacting in shock and asking a question, but the next thing she said was, “I didn’t catch that. Say it louder”

The light in my eyes dimmed all over again.

Just as Mom was about to answer, my brother suddenly started crying, and the truth that was about to be spoken out loud vanished again.

“Oh, never mind. He’s fussing. I’ll go check on him.

In the days that followed, Mom and Dad still never came looking for me.

Dad went back to his usual routine, heading to work every day as if nothing had happened. My little brother, though, suddenly started spitting up his milk and refused to eat.

Mom panicked and took him to several different hospitals, but nothing helped.

Then she heard that a neighbor mom knew a really good holistic doctor.

Mom called her right away, her voice dripping with flattery.

“Heh, Lisa, your son hasn’t come over to play with Benny in forever. In a few days I’ll send Penny over to your place so they can play, okay?”

A shiver ran through me as soon as I heard that.

I’d played with Aunt Lisa’s son before, and he always bullied me.

Once he smashed a chair down on my head. Another time he took me along while he strangled a newborn kitten, and I had nightmares for a month.

Mom and Dad had always strictly forbidden Aunt Lisa’s son from seeing me.

Mom said he was one of those “born–violent” boys with a serious aggression problem, and he’d even gouged out another kid’s eye before.

On the phone, Aunt Lisa gave a cold little laugh. “I thought Penny hated playing with my boy.”

Mom’s tone dropped even lower. “Lisa, I heard you know a really good holistic doctor. My son hasn’t been eating well lately. Whenever you have time, could you take me to see him? I’ll bring Penny over and leave her at your place to play. That way the two kids can look out for each other.”

My heart went cold.

Just to find a doctor for my brother, Mom was already putting me back on the table as a bargaining chip.

I wanted to leave this house, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get away. It was

Chapter 4

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like I was chained to my parents‘ side.

I started hoping someone–anyone–would notice me.

That day, just as Mom and Dad were about to head out with my brother, both sets of grandparents suddenly showed up at the house.

Each of them was carrying a gift.

The wrapping paper was all soft pastel pink. Were those for me?

I felt a little flutter of excitement, but when Mom saw them she immediately frowned.

“Mom, Dad, how many times have I told you? You have to treat both kids the same. All the gifts are for Penny–what about my son?”

“He may be little, but he’s not stupid. This kind of thing really hurts his feelings. You can’t play

favorites when there are two kids in the house.”

Grandma from Dad’s side pulled out a strawberry cake from just outside the door, her face tightening with annoyance.

“What kind of mother forgets her own daughter’s birthday? Of course we’re bringing presents for

Penny. It’s her birthday.”

Warmth finally flickered through my chest.

Both sets of my grandparents remembered my birthday. I was still a blessed child.

The strawberry cake smelled sweet and sugary. It was my favorite.

I circled the cake and couldn’t help rubbing my cheek against my dad’s mom’s arm.

She looked around the room. “Where’s Penny?”

Mom and Dad both froze, a flash of embarrassment crossing their faces. Then they turned toward my grandma from Mom’s side.

“Yeah, Mom, we were just about to go to your place to pick Penny up.

“If you came over for her birthday, why didn’t you bring her with you?”

My grandparents from Mom’s side frowned so hard their brows nearly touched. “When did you bring her to our place? I think you two are so busy you’ve lost your minds.”

With that, all four grandparents changed their shoes and headed straight for my bedroom.

“Penny, where are you? Grandma’s little sweetheart, come out and see what Grandma brought you for your birthday.”

Chester 4

Mom and Dad traded a look, their bodies stiff as boards in the entryway.

Grandma from Dad’s side searched the house and came back when she didn’t see me. “Where is

she? When was the last time you saw your daughter?”

Mom and Dad both started shaking uncontrollably.

They didn’t answer. They couldn’t stop themselves from looking toward the washing machine.

Chapter 5