Abandoned on the Highway for Not Knowing 1+1

Whats one plus one?

On the highway, my brother, Jayden, suddenly asked.

I hesitated, my voice barely a whisper, Its

Before I could finish, Mom, Elaine, flew into a rage and slapped me across the face:

Im an Ivy League graduate, your dads a Ph.D. Your brother Jayden is a math genius who aces every test, yet you, you cant even answer one plus one without hesitating, you good-for-nothing!

My face stung with a burning pain, and my heart was filled with terror. I cried, shaking my head, Mom, please dont despise me, Im not worthless its what Jayden said

But Mom wouldn't listen. She simply shoved me out of the car: A good-for-nothing who only inherited inferior genes doesnt deserve to ride with us! Get out and walk back!

I desperately chased after the car, but Dad, David, and Mom drove off with Jayden.

A massive truck came roaring up behind me, and suddenly, my body felt light, ethereal.

I caught up to Mom and Dads car: Mom, Dad, Im not worthless! My teacher says Im a little artist, she says everyone has their own strengths!

A childs stride is usually between one and one and a half feet.

Ive calculated it for you. From here to the next rest stop, its only three thousand steps.

This is Moms punishment for you, but its also to unlock your potential, to help you, the less bright one, fit into our family.

Mom finished, then turned and got into the car without a moments hesitation.

I rushed after her: Mom, dont leave me!

The car window slowly lowered, and Mom tossed out a small camera from inside: This is the latest cloud-sync model. Itll record you, so dont get lazy and skip counting.

Be careful on the road, only walk on the emergency lane.

Mom left her final instruction, and the car window immediately rolled up. I watched helplessly as the car drove away. The taillights grew dimmer and dimmer, until they vanished completely into the darkness.

Mom, its so cold.

The weather forecast said it was ten degrees Fahrenheit below zero today. But Mom had forgotten to give me my jacket. I dejectedly held up the small camera, speaking to its tiny lens: Mom, Im not worthless.

Im the best artist in my class. My teacher says thats called having different strengths.

But the lens wouldnt speak. I sniffled, holding back tears, and began to carefully count my steps.

1, 2, 3

But it was so cold, my breath seemed to turn to ice. I counted slower and slower, my steps growing smaller. By the time I reached a thousand, my legs felt as heavy as two large stones. My foot caught on something, and I fell directly to my knees, a sharp, piercing pain shooting through them.

My whole body ached. I cried, apologizing to the tiny lens: Mom, Im sorry. Rose is really hurting so much, Ill just rest for ten counts.

Our family often played number games; success brought rewards, failure brought penalties. Jayden always got the rewards. I always failed, and Mom would punish me for ten counts. Ten counts of slapping my hand, ten counts of spanking my bottom. Before, ten counts felt so slow; now, they felt incredibly fast.

When the ten counts were up, I struggled to get up from the ground. I moved my legs inch by painful inch; the blood from my knees soaked through my pants, and every step was agony. I gritted my teeth, knowing that just one thousand nine hundred seventy more steps would take me home to Grandma and Grandpa. They were waiting for us for Christmas dinner.

But my body grew colder and colder. Large, snowy white flowers seemed to bloom before my eyes, and I cried into the camera: Mom, I think I cant walk anymore.

Mom wouldnt answer me. But a blinding light suddenly appeared behind me; I had unknowingly wandered into the middle of the road.

When I woke up, I suddenly realized my body felt lighter.

Feeling lighter, I quickly caught up with Mom and Dad.

They were resting at a service station, their table laden with delicious food. Mom was coaxing Jayden to drink some hot water.

Its too cold today, Jayden, you have to drink some hot water.

Jayden reluctantly took a sip, and I quietly swallowed, wishing I could have some hot water too.

Mom, I want some too.

I pleaded timidly, but Mom remained unmoved. She fed Jayden water, gave him fruit. She seemed not to see me at all. I stifled the ache in my heart.

Just then, Dad, David, suddenly checked his watch, his brow furrowed: Weve been waiting at the service station for an hour. Wheres Rose? Nothings happened to her, has it?

My heart lifted. Dad, he finally remembered me.

Dad, I met a really big truck, I was too tired to run, and that truck

I wanted to tell Dad loudly.

But Mom, Elaine, impatiently cut in: David, its only two miles, its not that far.

If it were Jayden, hed have run it already.

Shes always been lazy and manipulative since she was little. This is a good chance for her to get some exercise!

Jayden nodded. He wasn't just good at math; he was athletic too.

Sister is already clumsy; what if she doesnt exercise and ends up a sickly mess? He snorted.

Jayden often teased me. This time in the car, he suddenly asked me a math question. He just wanted to make fun of how dumb I was. Before, Id always just foolishly grinned at him, never minding, because he was my big brother. But this time, I was a little angry.

I yelled at him, I am not! Jayden is mean!

If it werent for him, I wouldnt have been kicked out of the car.

Dad hesitated. He looked at the heavy fog outside, then his brows gradually relaxed. Two miles, even an adult takes 20 to 35 minutes to walk. Considering external factors, its normal for a child to be a little late.

Hearing Dads words, my heart felt heavy. Id always been prone to illness, gasping for breath after just a few steps, let alone walking three thousand steps in such cold weather.

But they seemed to forget that. They decided to wait a little longer. This wait stretched for another hour, until Jayden grew impatient. He started complaining, urging Dad to drive.

Just then, a couple walked in, their conversation interrupting Jayden. We specifically left at dawn, but still got stuck in traffic.

That car accident earlier was truly gruesome. They said the persons brains were splattered, and it was a child

Hearing this, Dad trembled violently. Mom also looked a little panicked. She quickly pulled out her phone, sighing in relief when she saw the small moving dot on the screen.

The next second, she grew angry again: The camera I bought not only records but also tracks location.

Look, shes moving fast right now, shes definitely playing the victim and got a ride. Shes so disobedient!

Were not waiting for her. Were leaving now. If shes so clever, she can have that person drop her home!

Hearing that, I instantly grew anxious. Mom, no, its not that.

I didnt, that was an ambulance, not a ride I found.

But Mom couldnt hear me. She bundled Jayden up tightly, then pulled Dad into the car for home.

I cried, following Mom and Dads car. The ambulance siren seemed to get closer, but Dad floored the gas and sped off the highway.

The car quickly arrived at Grandma and Grandpas house. I sadly lunged towards them, but passed right through.

Christmas was my favorite time of year; I got to see Grandma and Grandpa. But now I was so sad, tears streaming non-stop.

Grandma rushed to the back seat, first greeting Jayden. Then she peered into the car: Wheres Rose? Why isnt Rose in the car?

Grandma, Im here. I choked, pulling on Grandmas sleeve.

Mom, Elaine, impatiently said: She came back in someone elses car.

Alright, its freezing outside. Jaydens been in the car so long and is cold and hungry. Have some sympathy for your oldest grandson.

Moms words instantly silenced Grandma. She glanced at Dad, David, saw him nod, sighed, and didnt ask any more questions.

Alright, alright, Ive made dumplings, Ill boil some for you all.

Bowls of steaming hot dumplings were brought to the table. The aroma seemed to waft directly to me. Mom, Dad, and Jayden ate heartily, but I held my stomach, on the verge of tears. Walking for an hour had left me exhausted and starving. What I wanted most was Grandmas homemade dumplings.

Rose loves dumplings the most. I even saved some especially for her. Ill cook them when she gets here. Grandma said with a smile, standing up and looking out the window again and again.

I sniffled. I couldnt hold back my tears anymore.

After everyone finished eating, and Grandma cleared the table, she saw I still hadnt arrived and finally couldnt resist asking Mom and Dad about me again: How come Rose still isnt here? Whose car did she come back in? Why didnt you all come together?

The living room instantly fell silent. Dad hesitated: Soon, she should be here soon.

His hesitant answer made Grandma and Grandpa confused. Whose car is Rose in? Why dont you just call and ask? Shes been gone so long, dont you two, as parents, worry at all?

Dad pushed up his glasses, but looked at Mom. Mom angrily pulled out her phone. Grandma and Grandpa craned their necks expectantly, and I looked too. She frowned, opened her phone, saw the small cameras location was not far from Grandma and Grandpas house, and said: Alright, shell be back in five minutes.

Grandma and Grandpa wanted to see more, but Mom immediately closed her phone. Now that were back, I need to talk to you two elders seriously.

Rose is about to start elementary school. You cant keep spoiling her like this; its very detrimental to her future growth.

Moms tone was very stern. I fearfully hid behind Grandma.

Mom loved smart children. She always spoke to Jayden with gentle words. But I was too clumsy. Mom always got very angry. Once, I got 59 on a math test, and she was so mad she slapped me.

Are you even my biological child? How can you be so dense?

How can you get such simple addition and subtraction wrong? Whats in your head?

To make me good at math, she fiercely designed a study plan for me. A year of math lessons, doing Jaydens advanced math problems. If I didnt learn, Id get my palm smacked.

Grandma couldn't bear to watch and would speak up for me. This time too, she whispered: Elaine, I think teaching a child shouldnt be too forced, Rose is still small

Before she could finish, Mom sharply interrupted her: Mom, do you know that Rose still hesitates when asked what 1+1 equals?

When Jayden was her age, he was already doing third-grade math problems!

Grandmas face turned pale from being cut off. In the corner, Jayden was secretly laughing.

I rushed forward anxiously: Mom, its not that I hesitated, its Jayden!

Jayden said, 1+1 doesnt equal 2!

Although I didnt understand, when Jayden asked again, I still hesitated. But Mom didnt hear my explanation.

Look, is this Roses jacket?