The Smile That Made Me Smile

Chapter Five

I had finally made it home after a long day of school and work. Kim was upstairs in her room, and she left dinner in a Tupperware for me to eat.

I got in the shower first, thinking about what happened back home. It never leaves my head. Kim was in the living room by herself, learning English. The reason why is because we were getting ready to move to America, so someone needed to speak English besides my parents. My mother, father, and little brother were at the pool, and I was stuck with Kim.

Sometimes, I wonder if I wasn't scared, I could've done something to protect her, that's what older brothers do. They protect their younger sisters because they know how the world is and how cruel it can be. I blame myself every night for it. My parents did nothing to help her once they found out. They all blamed her.

They all talked to Kim like it was her fault. I was there for all of the hurtful things my father said to her. "You disappoint me", my father would bellow, "Why couldn't you have defended yourself? You aren't stupid."

It's not like my mother was any better. She'd constantly put her down, calling her embarrassing to the family and a disappointment. I've hated both of my parents ever since that day. It's the reason I took her under my wing and not theirs. They honestly have no idea we are here in Silverleaf. I've had to use cash from work for all of the payments on everything, including her notebook she uses. I get messages from them all the time, asking where we are. I never respond.

I want her to have a normal life, like everyone else's. But the thing about that is that everyone at Silverleaf talks about their parents. One time, Kim told me of a project in which she had to present her family's histories and how her ancestors were.

I didn't know what to do so I had to tell her the truth about how our parents were. She was so happy about the project as well. She thought she could have something normal in her life happen for her and I took that away from her. I wish I would've lied to her, but I felt like I had to tell her at some point this year. I didn't tell her the exact reason as to why. I don't know how she would've reacted to that. I don't even think she would've written anything in her notebook anymore. I would be heartbroken if that was the case. I had to do something soon. I have to tell her or maybe I can tell Noah. That's probably a better idea.