The Cost of Freedom

Summary

My friends invited me to a New Year's Eve party.

I was dead broke, so I could only make some honey-glazed chicken wings to share.

As I was about to leave, my mom's face suddenly darkened.

"Have I ever tasted your cooking? And you're making it for those shady friends of yours?"

"Instead of eating with them, you should have gone to meet the guy I set you up with a few days ago!"

"Do you understand 'networking up'? You never listen! I raised an ungrateful enemy!"

I stopped in my tracks and, for the first time, refuted her complaints.

"Fine. You take the wings. Give me back my paycheck!"