Chapter 10 So this was the boy Caleh liked ? I curiously looked him up and down , but after just one glance , I couldn't help but frown . The guy had four or five facial piercings , and his pants were so West Coast baggy they dragged on the ground . That would have been finis choice and all - but what really put me off was his sleazy gaze that screamed trouble . As they approached , Caleb looked uncomfortable and , remarkably , softened his tone . " Sis , don't tell Mom about my boyfriend , okay ? " I agreed immediately , my face full of encouragement . " Caleb , boyfriend or girlfriend - if you're happy , that's what matters . Don't worry , I won't say a word to Mom . " My response left Caleb looking completely stunned . He asked me , " Why ? I thought you'd object . " 1 patted his shoulder and said generously : " I'm your sister . Of course I want what's best for you . " In that moment , he gave me the first appreciative look of his life . From that day on , with both our parents out of the house , Caleb began dating openly . Several times when walking back from the hospital , I'd pass through the neighborhood park and catch them making out under the trees . What could I do as his sister ? Support him , of course ! So I didn't breathe a word to our mother , who lived for her son and dreamed of him marrying and giving her grandchildren . As for our father , he never came home , and even sent divorce papers to Darlene in the hospital . That very day , I went to bring Darlene her meal as usual . When I opened the door , I found her throwing and smashing things around the room like a madwoman . When she saw me , she seemed to find her target and lunged straight at me . " You worthless bitch ! This is all your fault with your stupid ideas ! If you hadn't pushed me to catch them in the act , would your father be divorcing me ? " Her eyes were red with fury , like she wanted to devour me whole . I stepped back to avoid her slap and tried to calm her down . " Maybe Dad's just too angry right now . Once he cools off , he'll come back . " That seemed to work a little . Darlene cursed under her breath as she lay back on the bed , but still warned me : " It better be that way . If your father really goes through with this divorce , I'll skin you alive ! " It seemed the universe heard her sincere plea - my father never filed for divorce after all . Because he was dead . The day he passed , he even made the local news , though in the most undignified way. According to the report , he had driven into an underground parking garage to have sex with his mistress in the car . They left the engine running with the air conditioning on and the windows up , causing carbon monoxide to build up to lethal levels . When they were found , they were completely naked and already dead . When Darlene heard the news , she completely fell apart . Having just been discharged , she was quickly readmitted to the hospital . The doctor sternly warned that my mother couldn't handle any more stress , but I didn't relay this warning to her . I just arranged for her to be hospitalized again and resumed my role as her caregiver . Tamil .. Tried to Bury Me So I Burned It All Down ! 15.0 % int my father a sudden death and the manner of it to Darlene chattered and hittas . Since the object of her hairyt terve area all blame onto me . Whenever she saw me , she'd hit and kick me , screaming and crying . It's all your fault ! If you hadn't pushed me to catch them , he would have come home . Even if he was still sleeping with that cramp at lever ? gone to a hotel instead of hiding in that car . " " Why couldn't it have been YOU who died ? " Obviously , my father's death pushed her hatred for me to new heights . So , when summer ended , she forcibly took my two months wages and refused to pay my tuition or living expenses , forcing me to take out loans . After securing financial aid , I immediately found part - time jobs when school started . Thankfully , I had secretly changed my college preference to somewhere far from home , allowing me a peaceful first year . But then one day , Caleb suddenly sent me a bizarre message : [ Sis , I'm about to turn 18 and I'm going to pursue my own happiness and future . Take good care of Mom . ]