Better than you

I got discharged the next day.

Although I had already missed two days of test, if I meet up with my subject teachers, I should be able to retake them.

Chloe wanted to drive me home but I didn't want her to. After several minutes of disagreements, I finally agreed.

Although I felt anxious through out the ride, it was surely better than staying in a crowded bus after just being discharged.

I got home, had a long shower and nap.

I didn't miss the new vase I saw in the hallway.

It had the same shape, color, and pattern.

I don't know if I was hallucinating or if it was truly there, but it helped me sleep better.

The sudden opening of the front door jerked me awake.

I blinked several times before I could finally register what was happening.

I checked the time on my phone to see it was already late in the night. I stood up and walked out.

As I passed through the hallway to the sitting room, I still noticed the vase there.

Was it not smashed into pieces?

I saw aunt Mary pacing around in the sitting room and Lisa sitting on the couch facing her.

Isn't she supposed to be back in like a week?

I stop at the doorway to listen to their conversation.

"M.....m..my boss suddenly called me to return. I didn't know why he did. I mean he never does. When he sends us out on business, he waits till we get back but last night he phoned me. He phoned me Lisa."

"And so?" Lisa asks dryly.

Bitch.

Aunt Mary doesn't stop pacing. "I got to his office and he started telling me how he's sorry and how I'm really great at my job-"

"Don't tell me-"

"I got fired Lisa." She turns to Lisa with sad eyes. "I got fired from my job."

"Why?" Lisa asks in horror.

Aunt Mary sits. "I-i-i I don't know. He said the company was over staffed and they needed to relieve some workers and and I really don't know."

I could hear the pain in her voice.

"I mean, I'm good at what I do," She continues. "I come in early, I work diligently, i-i-i do everything well, why-" She pulls her hair in frustration.

"Why will you be picked?" Lisa asks.

"I don't know!" She stands up suddenly and walks to the mini bar in the living room.

She takes out a bottle of wine and pours herself a glass.

Lisa turns to her. "Don't worry. I'm sure you can find another job. You can-"

"That job was my life Lisa!" She shouts which made Lisa jump a little. "That job was my everything and now it's taken away from me." She takes a large sip from the wine bottle. "It was the one thing that made me happy. And now it's gone."

"Mom, it's not like it's gone forever. You can still find a better place to work at." Lisa stands. "And besides, you have me."

Aunt Mary gives out a short laugh. "You?"

Lisa nods. "Yes."

"Come on tell me, what can you do?"

"Well, I-i can help you find something. I have connections-"

"Just focus on your studies would you?"

"No. You need me now. I can-"

"Just do what I say huh? At least not being ashamed to call you my daughter would make me feel a little better."

Ouch.

"What?" Lisa asks in disbelief.

"You see, you are like an embarrassment to me. Well maybe your grades." She took another long drink from the wine. "All my colleagues at work talk about how their children do well in school and I have nothing to show off because my daughter is below average."

"Mom-"

"You know what would make me proud of you right now?" She asks.

I'm not sure even I want to know.

"Be like Raven."

What?

"What?" Lisa repeats my word.

"I don't know, but if you read more like her, you can surely get your grades up. I mean that girl is smart! Maybe if you ask her to tutor-"

"Mom!" Lisa suddenly shouts. "You just got fired, I'm sure you don't know what you're saying and-"

"You want to know the real reason why I hit Raven?" Aunt Mary asks, interrupting her. "You want to know why I truly hit her all the time?"

"Mom-" Lisa begins but she's interrupted.

"Because she's better than you."

What?

"What?" Lisa says in a whisper. "Mom-"

"That girl" Aunt Mary points to the door. "Is way better than you Lisa." She pauses. "In studies, in the way she talks, the ways she handles visitors, I mean come on! Her cooking is even better than yours!" She shouts.

"Mom!" Lisa also shouts. "That girl is nobody. That girl is-"

"Better than you in every aspect you can imagine." Aunt Mary finishes for her.

"You know, when I see you and her together, I feel sorry and jealous." She pauses. "Sorry about the fact that you aren't as good as her, and jealous about the fact that Raven, isn't, my, child!" She shouts.

Aunt Mary sighs. "But I love you too much to hate you darling. So I gave in to all your needs thinking if I gave you all you wanted, you'd do better. And it was the same love I had for you, I dealt with Raven the way I did."

"I couldn't stand the fact that she's better than you. I mean that child doesn't even have parents!" She pauses. "But you Lisa, you have two loving parents but you're still dumber than someone who's pouring water in a basket!" She puts her hands up in frustration.

"Mother." Lisa starts. "You are tired. You're stressed. You're drunk." Lisa doesn't stop shaking her head. "A-a-and you don't know what you're saying. You'll wake up tomorrow morning and feel better and-"

"Just go study okay?"

"Mom." Lisa calls urgently. "You should-"

"I heard you're having tests. I'm sure you haven't picked up an actual book to study, but just go upstairs okay?"

Lisa takes a step forward. "Mom-"

"For goodness sake Lisa! Just do what I tell you!" She shouts and I flinch.

Aunt Mary turns away from her to focus on her drink.

Lisa stands there for some minutes before she finally turns to leave.

I turn to walk to the kitchen but Lisa reaches the door before I could.

Her eyes looked teary and sad at the same time. She looked frustrated at the same time pained.

I felt pity for her.

"I hope you are happy."

I take a step to her. "Lisa-"

"You'll regret this. I'd make sure of that even if it's the last thing I do Raven." She says with a glare and turns to walk away, slamming the front door behind her.