Guilt of Burden

Summary

The notice of my mother's layoff sat on the kitchen table.

Rent was due in three days. My younger brother's tutoring fees were already two weeks late. And my little sister, Stephanie, clutched her acceptance letter to the local public arts high school like she'd done something wrong.

None of this would be happening if it weren't for me. My illness had taken everything our family had saved.

I stayed in my room, leaning against the door, wanting to tell them I'd drop out of treatment—but I couldn't bring myself to open it.

"Why did he have to fall sick?"