Looking at my mother's stony face, I finally realized.
This woman I had called "Mom" for over twenty years had never seemed to have a place for me in her heart.
Growing up, I had never caused my mother any trouble.
She said boys were destined to accomplish great things, so I had to be more considerate than Lyle.
She said working to support the family was exhausting, so I came home every day and did all the chores, washing and cooking for her and Lyle.
She said she couldn't afford to send two people to school, so I worked my way through college, never asking her for a single penny for living expenses.
I had thought that by doing all this, even if my mother favored Lyle in her heart, she would still see some good in me.
But now, to force me to hand over money, she told me to steal, ro
