Shortcomings
Mark looked embarrassed after ranting for a while. Aside from the embarrassment, he felt lighter. The burden that was weighing him down was no longer there.
That was when Max chose to share something. " You know, the first time I took the mantle as an older brother, it wasn't by choice. I was forced by the circumstances.
Our mother was sickly and bedridden. My dad was busy caring for her and my youngest brother. He forgot about me and Edgar.
As time went by, I no longer thought about my needs first. I became a parent to my younger siblings. Dad was a mess after their mother passed away.
He was either overworking to raise us or mourning her death. It wasn't easy to put aside my desires and dreams to put a smile on my sibling's faces.
Some days, I felt exhausted and drained. I had to smile through it all. Once I was back in my room, I would cry myself to sleep and wake up the next day as though nothing happened.