FRAGILE STRENGTH

FRAGILE STRENGTH CHAPTER TREE

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(Brother shouts from downstairs; Violet leaves her room.)

Violet: Why, brother?

Oldest brother: Where are my clothes? I thought you were going to wash them?

Violet: But you didn't tell me to wash anything...

Oldest brother: Are you f*****g stupid? Why didn't you just get them from my room?

Violet's pov— How was I supposed to know? He doesn't even let me enter his room.

Violet: You don't allow me in your room, brother.

Oldest brother: Whatever, you're just stupid. Here, wash these. They better be dry later!

Violet: How am I supposed to dry them by then?

Violet's pov— Instead of resting, I spent my time washing my brother’s clothes. I even ironed them while damp to make them dry faster, though I wasn't sure if they'd be ready in time. When I finished, I saw the three of them watching TV. They were laughing and playing around. They looked so happy, as if they didn't have a single problem, as if they were the only people there. My eyes started to tear up again. They looked so happy... when will I ever experience that? When will I be able to hug them? When will they stop being angry at me? It seems impossible. They don't even treat me like family.

Father: What are you staring at, girl? Fix yourself. You're ruining the good mood.

Oldest brother: She’s probably just jealous and wants to join in.

Youngest sister: Just leave her be. All she does in this house is try to gain sympathy.

(Violet goes to her room and looks at an old photo of her mother holding her as a three-year-old.)

Violet: This is the only way I can see you. You're so unfair, Ma. You said Papa would take good care of me here. But why are they hurting me? I’m your child too, right? Did it ever cross your mind to check on me? To see if I'm okay or if I’m even eating? You should have just taken me with you.

[Later]

Oldest brother: Violet!

Violet: Why?

Oldest brother: "why"? Wash the plates! You’re always just lying around.

Violet's pov— I followed his orders. It didn't take long to finish.

Oldest brother: Hey, tomorrow morning, you're the one throwing out the trash. It better be gone by the time I get home!

Violet: Okay, brother.

(Violet cleans and sweeps the house to ensure they have nothing to complain about.)

Father: Who took the coins here on the table?!

(The Father approaches violet and grabs her arm very tightly.)

Father: You took the coins on the table, didn't you?

Violet: No, Pa!

Father: You’re still lying! (He slaps her multiple times).

Violet: Stop, please...

Father: You really are worthless. A thief!

Violet: I didn't take anything, Pa!

(The Father kicks her in the stomach, and she falls to the floor.)