Mini Short Stories: 2020 Volume 1

Misfit

Yuki would graduate tomorrow at the top of her class. She was this year's valedictorian, Student Council Head, Captain of the football team and a soloist in the school choir. So many people were in awe of her for being able to keep up with all these things and still focus on schoolwork . Little did everyone know that these achievements did not impress her family.

"You eh bringing in no money but want meh pay for a pack a ting for yuh grads party. Not even wukking yet and costing meh dollars! Yuh always want me to go beg yuh brother-in-law yuh ungrateful pig." Yuki was used to the yelling but was surprised at this change of heart. Her mom had agreed to her graduation budget, but now she was freaking out. "Mummy, we don't need Calvin's cash. Aunty Vera gave-." "Don't talk about that woman. Can't stand she and she stuck up ways. Me eh want nuthing from that witch. Ah setta book sense is all you have," her mother ended in disgust.

Yuki listened to her mom complain, quarrel and curse and was still confused until Mariela came home bawling and cursing. Calvin had another woman and was divorcing Mariela. Mother had rushed to console her while Yuki was left alone to watch the farce. Yuki returned to her room to practice her speech.

The outcry went on until it suddenly turned to laughter. They had called a lawyer and who told them that Mariela could receive a lot of money because of Calvin's infidelity. She heard them pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate and felt her heart freeze. They were twins in their greed and heartlessness and Yuki knew that she would always be a misfit to them. Still she couldn't stop the silent, lonely tears that fell. Her eyes blurred as she reached under her bed for the box of letters from Aunt Vera. She intentionally wrote them in Spanish so only Yuki could read them. Those letters had improved her Spanish, maintained her fighting spirit and kept her lonely heart from breaking.

She opened the latest letter. Aunt Vera had sent pictures of her home in Atlanta and the room she had already prepared for Yuki. "Love and affection are waiting for you here!" is how she'd ended it. Yuki smiled and dried her tears . She still felt hurt and a little scared but she felt truly determined to leave this loveless environment and spread her wings. She picked up the university brochures that her Aunt had sent and smiled. She'd write SATs, aim for a scholarship and join Aunt Vera who truly loved her. She turned on her computer and began her application for the exam.