My “Perfect” Sister Dropped Out Of Med School With $150k Debt After My Parents Abandoned Me For Her. Now They Lost Their Home And Want My Grammy Money. I Told Them My Money Has No Value For Them.
The Perfect Facade
In a quiet residential neighborhood in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, the Johnson family lived in a two-story house surrounded by a white picket fence. To all appearances, they seemed like the ideal middle-class family, but the reality inside was more complicated.
Melody Johnson sat near the window, watching the sunset fall over the garden while focusing on her piano sheet music. Her long brown hair was pulled back casually, and she had rolled up the sleeves of her blue sweater.
Since childhood, she had possessed the gift of talent for piano and singing. She had won local music competitions many times, and her high school music teacher had called her a natural talent. From the living room, she could hear her mother’s shrill laugh and her sister’s voice. Another family moment was beginning that excluded her.
“Ashley Margaret was envious when she saw the photos of your college entrance ceremony,”
a voice said.
“She said the Johnson family must be very proud.”
Martha, Melody’s mother, had been a teacher at the local elementary school for 20 years before retiring to focus on her daughter’s education. She always maintained a slender posture with a straight back, and her hair, now beginning to turn gray, was always tied back neatly. Her life revolved around appearances and what others thought.
“Mom, on the first day of med school, I had an anatomy class and it was challenging, but the professor said my application showed excellent intuition,”
said Ashley Johnson.
Ashley had perfectly styled blonde hair and sharp eyes inherited from her mother. She had been chosen as the top student in high school and had just entered a prestigious state medical school. She was the apple of her parents’ eyes, especially her mother’s.
“This is my perfect Ashley, destined to become a doctor,”
observed Martha with pride.
Harold, relaxed on the living room sofa, had worked for over 20 years as an executive at a local company. Having led an ordinary life, he was under the strong influence of his wife, Martha, and his say in family matters was limited.
“Ah, that’s wonderful,”
Harold replied without looking up from his newspaper.
Melody let out a small sigh. In this house, her music was considered a hobby and was never taken seriously. When she graduated from high school, Melody had received scholarship offers from prestigious music schools, but her parents had pushed her to choose a practical career.
“Do you think you can earn a living with music? It’s fine to dream, but you need to face reality,”
Martha had said.
Eventually, Melody enrolled in the music department of the local public university, managing tuition through a combination of scholarships and part-time jobs. Now in her third year, she paid her living expenses and tuition by performing at a local jazz bar and working at a café.
The Unequal Burden
Meanwhile, her sister Ashley had just entered a renowned private medical school in the state, with her parents paying the substantial tuition entirely. On Melody’s desk lay a stack of unpaid bills. The deadline for next semester’s tuition was approaching, and this time it seemed she wouldn’t be able to make it on her own.
The bar had cut hours due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her shifts had been reduced.
“Maybe just this once I should ask Dad and Mom for help,”
Melody thought.
She had never asked for tuition assistance before. Tonight was a dinner to celebrate Ashley’s entry into university. It would be a good opportunity with the whole family gathered. Melody took a deep breath and closed her sheet music.
“Why am I so nervous about simply asking for tuition fees?”
she asked herself as she left her room and started down the stairs.
She could still hear the cheerful conversation between her mother and sister coming from the living room. In the Johnson family dining room, there were warm lights and the smell of food. The table was set with roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and Ashley’s favorite chocolate cake. A handmade banner reading “Congratulations on Medical School” adorned the wall.
Martha said with a smile:
“Everyone take a seat, let’s celebrate Ashley’s special day.”
Harold poured red wine into the glasses.
“A doctor in our family. The neighbors will be amazed,”
he said, his voice carrying a rare note of pride.
Ashley smiled.
“This is just the beginning, Dad, but I promise I will become a respectable doctor and bring honor to our family.”
She was dressed in a new designer dress, and around her neck, she wore a pendant with her university’s logo. Melody sat quietly and smiled.
“Congratulations, Ashley,”
she said, trying to repress the uncertainty in her chest.
The folded bill in her pocket felt like it was digging into her skin. As the meal progressed, the family conversation flowed. Melody mostly listened, nodding occasionally. While picking at her puree with her fork, she tried to figure out when to bring up her problem.
“The other day my professor said something interesting,”
Ashley began.
“He said that medical students suffer from sleep deprivation, so we should sleep a lot now, but I’m too excited to sleep.”
Martha touched her daughter’s cheek and spoke softly.
“Don’t strain yourself too much. Health comes first. Let me know if you need anything.”
“This is it,”
thought Melody. Taking a deep breath, she began.
“I need to talk about something.”
Suddenly, all eyes were on her, and she felt the atmosphere change.
“It’s about next semester’s tuition.”
She pulled the bill out of her pocket.
“My shifts at the bar have been reduced, and my scholarship alone isn’t enough.”
