But it broke halfway.
—
I couldn’t speak.
My throat refused.
—
While my parents were opening champagne on a deck floating over blue water…
My brother had just sold his future for me.
—
That’s when I made a decision.
A bad one.
A desperate one.
—
I signed the loan papers.
Predatory interest.
Crushing terms.
No way out.
—
But I kept my leg.
—
Weeks later…
Still on crutches.
Still in pain.
I stopped at a gas station.
—
I bought a lottery ticket.
Not out of hope.
Just… something to distract myself.
