The Ledger of a “Good Son”
By dawn, I couldn’t sleep. The image of that empty place haunted me—the moment a child learns his worth.
I made pancakes overloaded with chocolate chips and opened my notes app.
Month by month, I listed it all:
Jan: Dad’s meds – $120
Feb: Mom’s dental – $450
Mar: Nate’s rent – $300
Apr: Easter dinner – $200
May: Mom’s birthday – $180
Jun: Dad’s car – $400
Jul: Nate’s loan – $350
Aug: Holiday décor – $300
Sep: Nate’s loan – $280
Oct: Mom’s medical – $520
Nov: Thanksgiving – $400
Dec: Gifts/hosting – $600
Yearly total: $4,100.
I’d taken a picture of the table last night—eight plates, one blank spot.
I saved it in a folder called Perspective.
