Brother worked part-time for years, saved every cash for graduation automobile. One move by our stepdad snatched the money and ruined his ambitions. We broke. Our stepdad thought he\u2019d gotten away with it, but retribution struck.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m Hazel. My age is 20. If you had told me six months ago that my brother would attend his graduation party without the automobile he saved for two years, I would have laughed and said, \u201cNo way. He deserved that.\u201d<\/p>\n
People like our stepdad don\u2019t think \u201cearned.\u201d They consider what can be taken without consequence.<\/p>\n
Not only are Scott and I siblings. Best pals.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my favorite person in the whole world, Hazel,\u201d he told me last month, lying across my bedroom floor after another hard day at his part-time job.<\/p>\n
Rolling my eyes. What about Marcus? Or Tyler? You two are nearly inseparable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaking his head. \u201cNah! They\u2019re great, but you understand. You see through deception.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott and I have that issue. We\u2019ve learned to spot deception, especially with Steve, our stepfather.<\/p>\n
After our parents divorced, we kept the house warm.<\/p>\n
Mom married Steve six months after the divorce papers were signed, and we were already suspicious. Scott accused her of infidelity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not saying I know for sure,\u201d he stated one night. That timeframe doesn\u2019t make sense, Hazel. It doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t dispute that logic. Everything seemed weird from the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we\u2019re overthinking it,\u201d I add. \u201cLet\u2019s just get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. We should focus on our lives \u201cSighs Scott.<\/p>\n
He started saving for an automobile in junior year. Every penny from his part-time grocery store job went to his automobile fund. Watching him count those crumpled bills night after night with hopeful eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m almost there,\u201d he said, flattening twenties and twenty. \u201cI just need a little help to get over the finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n
They shot him down quickly when he finally had the bravery to ask Mom and Steve for aid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not a bank, Scott,\u201d Steve said, staring at his phone. Want a car? Earn it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been earning it!\u201d Scott\u2019s voice broke. \u201cI want 10%. End of story. You resolved Hazel\u2019s automobile issue last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom said, \u201cThat was different,\u201d visibly annoyed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d Scott commanded. \u201cHow is it different?\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve eventually looked up. \u201cBecause I said so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then arguments became worse. Loud and vicious. You can hear every word through the walls.<\/p>\n
Scott visited my room after a heated disagreement. He had crimson eyes.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t continue, Hazel. I must stop pleading.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing him broke my heart. \u201cOnce I\u2019m stable, I\u2019ll help you cover the rest if they don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hugging me, he cried. \u201cYou owe me nothing. You\u2019ve done enough. Being in my corner matters most. I\u2019ll work this out myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Months passed. Scott worked hard. He saved and hoped. Mom and Steve suddenly changed their minds.<\/p>\n
Mom said, \u201cWe\u2019ve been thinking,\u201d during supper. \u201cMaybe we can help with the car after all.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fork froze halfway to Scott\u2019s mouth. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally,\u201d Steve remarked, and I swear his eyes were calculating. \u201cWe\u2019ll resolve it this summer. Before graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott virtually shone. \u201cThank you. God, many thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s one condition,\u201d Steve said. You must give us your savings in cash. We can determine the sum and our contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
I had a chill, but Scott was too delighted to notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d he claimed, reaching for his wallet. \u201cWhatever you need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every single dime he saved was given to them that night. He gave up two years of sacrifice with a smile and trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe this is actually happening,\u201d he said while watching TV. \u201cI was starting to think they\u2019d never come around.\u201d<\/p>\n
To warn him. It felt wrong. I couldn\u2019t darken his eyes after seeing him so pleased after months of disappointment.<\/p>\n
I said \u201cI\u2019m happy for you,\u201d and meant it.<\/p>\n
Last Tuesday night began normally. Steve knocked on Scott\u2019s door as he prepared for work.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome outside!\u201d Steven called. \u201cWe have a surprise!\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott stared at me with the widest smile imaginable. \u201cIt\u2019s finally happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott was ecstatic as we ran outdoors. There it was. One automobile in the driveway. It wasn\u2019t his car. Not even close.<\/p>\n
The SUV was bright red. Wrong color. Wrong size. Mistaken everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the new family car!\u201d Steve boasted. \u201cMy work car broke down last week, so this timing is perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
I froze at Scott\u2019s face change. He lost hope and saw something cold and unyielding.<\/p>\n
\u201cAppreciate the help, bud,\u201d Steve laughed. \u201cCouldn\u2019t have done it without your contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom laughed like it was the best joke ever.<\/p>\n
His money was spent. Every dime Scott saved was stolen for Steve\u2019s automobile.<\/p>\n
Mom remarked, \u201cIt\u2019s a family car,\u201d as if it helped. \u201cWe can all use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
We knew the truth. No one but Steve would have keys.<\/p>\n
I anticipated Scott\u2019s explosion, yell, and throw. But he didn\u2019t. He merely stared at Steve with winter eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might think I\u2019m an idiot,\u201d he remarked deathly calmly. \u201cYou may think smart. I outperform you, Steve. I know you know that, and Mom\u2019s a fool for remaining with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The laughter ended.<\/p>\n
Scott said, \u201cI swear on everything I hold dear,\u201d \u201cyou\u2019ll regret this. You\u2019re laughing now but will cry later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then he left without looking back. He didn\u2019t bang the door. My brother left with dignity.<\/p>\n
Steve and Mom stared at me intently.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell was that about?\u201d Steve commanded.<\/p>\n
Staring them dead in the eye. You expected what? You crushed him. Both of you were cruel.\u201d<\/p>\n
They pretended we were crazy. They thought Scott overreacted to an innocuous family joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe needs to realize life is unfair,\u201d Steve stated. \u201cThis is good for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood for him?\u201d I couldn\u2019t hide my anger. \u201cYou stole from your own stepson!\u201d<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t steal. The family bought something with family money.\u201d<\/p>\n
The convoluted logic made my head spin.<\/p>\n
The money was his. He deserved it. Not family money, Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n
When I told my pals, they were appalled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s literally theft,\u201d my friend Lia added. \u201cYour parents are criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cComfort your brother,\u201d said another buddy. \u201cLet him know this isn\u2019t his fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
I tried. But watching Scott act fine was awful. The next day, he worked normally. He got home, did homework, and chatted during dinner.<\/p>\n
His hurt was evident in his eyes. The treachery. The agony of trusting someone unworthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of you,\u201d I told him that night. \u201cFor how you handled it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shrugging. What else can I do? Throw a fit? They anticipated that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMost people would have.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not most people, he said. I said what I meant. They\u2019ll regret.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott nailed it. Karma works mysteriously.<\/p>\n
Steve arrived home two days later looking ghostly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had an accident,\u201d he shakily said. \u201cHit someone\u2019s car at the mall.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott and I glanced across the dinner table.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs everyone okay?\u201d Mom said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, but\u2026\u201d Face collapsed, Steve. The guy drove a BMW. A good one. He wants me to pay for the harm. He also called police.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence filled the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much?\u201d Mom muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201c15,000. May be more.\u201d<\/p>\n
I saw Scott resist a smile. Karma arrived with interest-bearing receipts.<\/p>\n
Steve said, \u201cThe car\u2019s pretty banged up too.\u201d \u201cMy pride and joy is completely wrecked.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur pride and joy,\u201d Scott whispered. \u201cSince it\u2019s a family car and all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve glanced at him but couldn\u2019t disagree since he\u2019d used that logic to steal Scott\u2019s money.<\/p>\n
They compensated BMW owner. Each cent. Scott\u2019s disappointed attitude from the driveway day persisted.<\/p>\n
Later that night, my brother and I laughed secretly. Even two days late, justice was sweet.<\/p>\n
Scott doesn\u2019t have an automobile for graduation next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake mine,\u201d I said yesterday. \u201cPlease. I can ride with pals. I understand your distaste for white autos. Still, I want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaking his head. I\u2019ll manage. I usually do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cScott\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I won\u2019t take your automobile, Hazel. Much appreciated, but no.\u201d<\/p>\n
He reminded me why I love him with his obstinate pride. Though broken, he was not bitter. Even after being betrayed, he stays true.<\/p>\n
My heart breaks knowing he\u2019ll graduate knowing his supporters turned against him. I hate that his mother smiled while his hopes fell apart.<\/p>\n
Betrayals can leave permanent scars. Some serious hurts change you.<\/p>\n
Karma hit Steve. Scott still lost something important that day. He lost faith in his protectors.<\/p>\n
And seeing a loved one learn at 17? That\u2019s permanent heartbreak.<\/p>\n
Scott told me that night after the first big battle with Mom and Steve: \u201cJust being in my corner means everything.\u201d I hope he remembers. I\u2019ll always be there. No matter what.<\/p>\n
Not all bonds can be broken. Not even by Steves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Brother worked part-time for years, saved every cash for graduation automobile. One move by our stepdad snatched the money and ruined his ambitions. We broke. Our stepdad thought he\u2019d gotten away with it, but retribution struck. I\u2019m Hazel. My age is 20. If you had told me six months ago that my brother would attend […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32155"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32156,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32155\/revisions\/32156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}