Breathing Fee to Live in My Own Home? I Cut Ties

The SATs were over, and Mom bought my little sister a new phone.

She hugged Rosamund tight, eyes rimmed red.

"My precious girl. You've finally made it through."

Dad gave her a motorbike, waving a hand grandly.

"Once you're in college, you can go wherever you want."

Then it was my turn, dragging my heavy bags in, and Mom held out the QR code like it was business.

"Baggage hauling fee, five hundred. Storage fee, five hundred."

"And from now until you leave for college, room and board here, two thousand."

"Three thousand total. Scan to pay, or sign an IOU?"