"Don't worry, honey. I talked to that online tonic seller again. He said our son's fine-- just a little weak from the heat. I'll make sure to give him some good supplements later," my mom said as she picked up a piece of opium-based tonic from the corner and handed it to my dad. "Here, honey, you should have more too. You're the backbone of this family."
Then she turned to me, her face twisting into anger. "You lazy girl, why are you just standing there? Get in the kitchen and start cooking! You trying to starve us?"
"Yeah, Mom, she didn't even get me a Coke earlier," my brother chimed in from the side.
"What?! You little brat! Are you trying to make me lose it? How dare you refuse your brother!" My mom glared at me with fury. "If anything happens to my precious boy because of you, you'll pay for it!"
She immediately went back to coddling my brother, and I watched them for a second, disgusted by their display of affection, before silently turning and heading into the kitchen.
After the food was set on the table, my dad and brother dug into their usual opium-based tonics, while I quietly scooped a bowl of rice and sat to the side, not daring to touch any of the other dishes. My mom kept glancing at my dad as if signaling something.
My dad cleared his throat and said, "Your mom found you a boyfriend. You should go ahead and drop out of school."
"What?! No! I'm not quitting. I'm going to school!" I protested in shock. "Dad, I'm just a month away from taking the SAT. I can't drop out now!"
His brow furrowed, and his face darkened instantly. "I said you're quitting, so you're quitting! Why are you talking back? Your mom's doing this for your own good."
"Exactly!" my mom chimed in. "Do you really think we'd steer you wrong? Mr. Smith may be a bit older, but he's steady and knows how to take care of people. Plus, his family's got money from their old property. You marry him, and you're set for life! What's so bad about that?"
"And don't forget," she added quickly, "your brother's about to start high school. There are so many expenses, and Mr. Smith's daughter sends money back every month to help out her brother after getting married. If she can do it, why can't you?"