My Aunt Posted A Video With My Parents, From Which I Learned They Consider Me A "Freeloader"...

I'm Cameron and I grew up in the shadow of a star that star was my older sister Lily our house was always filled with people Aunts Uncles cousins you name it they'd pour into our backyard like ants to a picnic drawn by the promise of my mom's famous barbecue and the chance to see Lily perform our backyard was like a stage with its neatly trimmed lawn and the big oak tree that provided the perfect backdrop dad would fire up the grill the smell of charcoal and sizzling meat filling the air while Mom bustled around making

sure everyone had a drink in hand Lily sweetie Aunt Marge would call out her voice cutting through the chatter why don't you give us a little song and just like that all eyes would turn to my sister Lily would hop onto a chair her golden curls bouncing a mischievous glint in her eye she'd clear her throat dramatically and then magic My Heart Will Go On and On she'd orble doing her best Selen Dion impression the adults would go wild clapping and cheering like they were at a real concert mom and dad would Beam with pride

dad often wiping a tear from his eye meanwhile I'd be off to the side trying to blend in with the bushes it's not that I didn't want to join in but every time I opened my mouth to sing it sounded like a cat being strangled and poetry forget about it the words would tangle on my tongue leaving me red-faced and stammering I've heard my relatives whisper that I'm so unlike my sister it wasn't just the relatives mom and dad made it clear who the star of the family was while Lily got shuttled from dance classes

to singing lessons to Art workshops I was left to my own devices not that I minded much I found solace in the dusty old books that lined our shelves the only person who seemed to get me was great aunt Maggie she'd find me hiding behind the garage or up in the treehouse nose buried in a book what Adventure are you on today Cameron she'd ask settling down beside me I'd look up grateful for the interruption oh just reading about ancient Egypt I'd say showing her the cover of my latest find Maggie would nod her eyes

twinkling you've got a good head on your shoulders girl don't let anyone tell you different those moments with Maggie were like a bomb to my soul she didn't expect me to perform or be anyone other than who I was with her I could just be Cameron the quiet bookish girl who preferred the company of paper and ink to the chaos of family gatherings but as much as I cherished those moments they couldn't erase the sting of being the Forgotten child every time Lily mastered a new song or one another award my parents would shower her

with praise and Gifts new clothes the latest gift gadgets you name it Lily got it and me I got hand me- downs and size of exasperation School became My Sanctuary while I wasn't exactly Miss Popularity I found my groove in the classroom I wasn't content to just sit there and let the lessons wash over me no I was determined to understand every single thing the teachers said Mrs Thompson I'd say after class my voice quiet but steady could you explain that bit about mitosis again I didn't quite get it she'd smile obviously pleased by my

interest of course Cameron why don't we go over it together if a teacher couldn't spare the time I'd ask for book recommendations soon my backpack was always bulging with extra reading material I'd stay up late pouring over those books determined to master every subject all that hard work paid off by the the time I hit High School I was top of my class for once in my life I was the best at something I even made a few friends other bookworms who didn't mind my quiet ways as graduation approached our house became Lily Central mom

was constantly helping her put together her portfolio for the advertising and PR program at some fancy College oh honey this campaign idea is perfect mom would gush looking at Lily's work you're so talented I'd roll my eyes and Retreat to my room burying myself in my studies but one night during yet another family dinner devoted to Lily's College plans something in me snapped I'm going to college too I blurted out I want to study management the silence that followed was deafening then to my shock and hurt they all burst out laughing oh sweetie mom said

wiping tears of M from her eyes we don't have money for that you'll need to get a job after graduation you're just not as gifted as your sister I felt like I'd been slapped but but I'm the top student in my class I stammered my face burning with anger and embarrassment I get straight a i stormed up to my room and came back with my report card slamming it on the table they all leaned into to look their eyes widening in Surprise well I'll be damned dad muttered scratching his head when did this happen it's

been happening for years I spat not that any of you ever noticed mom at least had the decency to look ashamed Cameron we had no idea but Dad Cut Her Off look it doesn't change anything we've spent all our savings on Lily's education there's nothing left for you Cameron I'm sorry but that's just how it is you'll go to work at my cousin Frank's Restaurant after graduation I turned and ran ignoring their calls I sprinted up the stairs into my room slamming the door so hard the walls shook as I collapsed onto my bed sobs

racking my body I felt something inside me Harden fine I thought my hands clenching into fists if they won't help me I'll find another way I'll show them all what Cameron can do the next few months were a blur Lily headed off to college her departure marked by tearful goodbyes and proud parental Embraces meanwhile I threw myself into my studies with renewed Vigor determined to graduate at the top of my class during this time I found myself spending more and more time with great aunt Maggie her small cozy house became my refuge from the tension

at home one afternoon as we sat in her sunlet kitchen sipping tea she asked asked the question I'd been dreading so Cameron she said her kind eyes fixed on me what are your plans after graduation I stared into my teacup fighting back tears I I don't know Aunt Maggie mom and dad won't help me with college they say there's no money left after paying for Lily's education Maggie was quiet for a moment then reached across the table and squeezed my hand Cameron dear I've got some savings I'd like to give them to you for college

you're smart as a whip and I'll be damned if I let that brain of yours go to waste the reality of her words hit me like a tidal wave I burst into tears overwhelmed by her generosity and the sudden realization that my dreams weren't dead after all thank you I sobbed throwing my arms around her thank you so much Aunt Maggie the months flew by and before I knew it I was walking across the stage at graduation diploma in hand as I scanned the crowd I saw Aunt Maggie beaming at me my parents were there

too looking proud but uncomfortable that evening as I poured over College brochures mom walked in Cameron honey she said her voice syrupy sweet your father's cousin Frank called HEK got a white dressing job for you at his restaurant isn't that exciting I took a deep breath actually mom I won't be needing that job I'm going to college dad appeared in the doorway frowning and how exactly do you plan to pay for that Aunt Maggie is helping me I said my chin held high she's giving me her savings for tuition the shocked silence that followed was

almost comical then to my disbelief Dad's face turned red with anger absolutely not he bellowed if mag got money to spare it should go to Lily she needs a car for her job in advertising after she graduates next year I couldn't believe what I was hearing are you serious I spat this is my chance to get an education to make something of myself don't be selfish Cameron mom chimed in your sister needs that money more than you do no I said my voice shaking but firm this is my money now and I'm using it for

college end of discussion from that moment on life at home became unbearable my parents either ignored me completely or snapped at me over the smallest things the tension was suffocating after a particularly nasty argument I called Aunt Maggie in tears and told her everything pack your bags sweetheart she said without hesitation you're moving in with me the next day I stuffed everything I owned into a cab and drove away watching my childhood home shrink in the rearview mirror as I pulled up to Aunt Maggie's house I felt a weight lift off my shoulders the summer

flew by in a whirlwind of preparation and before I knew it I was stepping onto the campus of State University thanks to my stellar grades and Aunt Maggie's generosity I'd gotten into the management program I'd always dreamed of my first day of classes I felt like I was floating on air as I sat in my inter introduction to business lecture drinking in every word I couldn't help but think I made it I'm really here meanwhile Lily was starting her senior year at her fancy College I hadn't heard much from her or my parents since I'd

moved out but I tried not to let it bother me I was too busy reeving in my newfound freedom and the excitement of college life but then about a month into the semester Aunt Maggie called me Cameron dear she said her voice hesitant I think you should sit down for this my heart raced as she filled me in on the family drama I'd missed apparently Lily had shown up at home out of the blue announcing she dropped out of college the reason she was pregnant according to Aunt Maggie Lily had been flippant about the whole

thing oh don't worry she'd said tossing her hair the baby's father is loaded we'll be getting married soon but the story didn't end there it turned out Lily's boyfriend wasn't as committed as she thought when he found out she'd been sleeping with his friend too all hell broke loose now they don't even know who the father is Aunt Maggie sighed I sat there phone pressed to my ear trying to process it all part of me felt a twisted sense of satisfaction The Golden Child had fallen from her pedestal but mostly I just felt sad for

Lily and the mess she'd gotten herself into The Saga continued over the next few months Aunt Maggie kept me updated on All the gossip from the family gatherings I no longer attended when Lily's baby was born a DNA test confirmed her boyfriend was indeed the father but instead of the fairy tale wedding Lily had envisioned he simply agreed to pay child support the final blow came when Lily desperate for work took a job as a waitress at uncle Frank's Restaurant the very job my parents had tried to fo on me as I hung up the

phone I felt a whirlwind of emotions there was a small Petty part of me that wanted to gloat to rub my success in my family's faces but mostly I just felt a profound sense of gratitude for where I was and how far I'd come for years flew by in a blur of lectures exams and late night study sessions before I knew it I was walking across the stage at graduation my hard-earned management degree clutched tightly in my hand as I scanned the crowd I saw Aunt Maggie beaming at me tears of pride In Her Eyes

thanks to my top grades and glowing recommendations from my professors I landed a job as a manager at the Gilded Fork one of the most prestigious restaurants in the city the salary was more than I'd ever dreamed of and for the first time in my life I felt truly successful with my first paycheck I knew exactly what I wanted to do I marched into the electronic store and bought the latest smartph phone for Aunt Maggie her face lit up when I presented it to her oh Cameron she gasped turning the Sleek device over in her

hands this is too much I grinned already pulling out my own phone not at all now let me show you how to use it over the next few weeks I taught Aunt Maggie the ins and outs of social media she took to it like a duck to water especially loving Facebook's video feature soon her page was filled with clips of her garden her cat and her Infamous apple pie in various stages of creation I'd watch her videos during my lunch breaks always making sure to leave a comment or a like it was our way of

staying connected even when work kept me busy one day as I Was preparing for the dinner rush my phone buzzed I glanced at it surprised to see my mother's name on the screen we hadn't spoken in years Cameron her voice was hesitant I we were hoping you might come over to talk after a long pause I agreed that Sunday I found myself standing on the porch of my childhood home my hand hovering over the doorbell before I could press it the door swung open Cameron my mother pulled me into a tight hug oh sweetie it's

so good to see you inside I found my father Lily and a the toddler I assumed was my niece the atmosphere was tense but not hostile like I'd feared you look good kiddo dad said his voice Gruff but warm we hear you're doing well for yourself I nodded still wary I am I'm a manager at the Gilded Fork now their eyes widened at the name of the restaurant mom cleared her throat that's that's wonderful dear actually that's part of why we wanted to talk to you over the next hour they apologized for how they treated

me admitting they'd been wrong to dismiss my potential then came the real reason for the reunion Cameron mom said glancing at Lily we were hoping well we were wondering if you might be able to help Lily get a job at your restaurant I looked at my sister bouncing her daughter on her knee she wouldn't meet my eyes I'll see what I can do I said finally no promises is but I'll ask true to my word I spoke to Mr Reeves the restaurant owner about Lily to my surprise he agreed to give her a shot as

an administrator Lily started the following week I watched her closely half expecting her to fail or cause drama but to my shock she excelled she was punctual efficient and the customers loved her charm as the weeks passed I found myself relaxing around her we weren best friends by any means but we developed a cordial working relationship just when I thought I had everything figured out the universe decided to throw me another curveball this time a positive one Mr Reeves called me into his office one day my heart raced wondering if I'd done something wrong instead

he grinned at me and said Cameron how would you like to help me expand the business before I knew it I was overseeing the opening of not one but three new restaurants my days became a whirlwind of staff meetings menu tastings and number crunching it was exhausting exhilarating and everything I'd ever dreamed of the promotion came with a significant pay bump and suddenly I found myself with more money than I knew what to do with that's when the calls from my parents started at first it was just small things the roof is leaking mom would

say her voice hesitant we were one wondering if you might be able to help out a little I was surprised at how good it felt to say yes to be able to solve their problems with a simple transfer of funds it started with the roof then it was a new water heater and before long I was funding a complete home renovation as their financial situation improved thanks to my monthly allowance the infamous family party started up again but this time when I attended things were different have you heard about Cameron's latest project mom would gush

to the relatives she's opening a new restaurant downtown we're so proud of her I'd catch Lily's eye across the room and she'd give me a small smile she was doing well too having been promoted to head administrator at the Gilded Fork My Girls dad would say an arm around each of us both of them making their old man proud part of me wanted to be bitter to remind them of how they treated me before but a larger part reveled in the warmth of their approval something i' craved for so long as I drove home that

night I felt a sense of contentment wash over me finally after all these years I had what I'd always wanted success in my career and the love and appreciation of my family I was The Golden Child now but better than that I was my own woman standing on my own two feet it was a lazy Sunday afternoon when my world came crashing down around me I was scrolling through Facebook sipping my coffee when I saw that Aunt Maggie had posted a new video it was from one of the family gatherings I'd missed due to work

commitments smiling I clicked play expecting to see the usual scenes of laughter and Mart what I saw instead made my blood run cold there In Living Color were my parents their faces flushed with alcohol and self-righteousness mom was gesticulating wildly her voice slurred but unmistakable and Cameron that ungrateful little freeloader she was saying she barely gives us anything we're not made of money you know Dad chimed in his face red that's right we're doing just fine thanks to our Lily she's the one keeping that fancy restaurant afloat Cameron just rides on her coattails the video

continued with various relatives nodding along some even adding their own criticisms ly sat in the corner looking uncomfortable but not contradicting them as the video ended I sat there stunned how could they after everything I'd done for them all the money I'd given them how could they turn around and say such awful untrue things with shaking hands I scrolled down to the comments there I saw a stream of messages from my parents Maggie delete this video right now you had no right to post this take it down immediately but aunt Maggie's response made me burst

into tears I don't know how to delete videos and even if I did I wouldn't it's time everyone saw the truth about how you treat Cameron she's the one supporting you and this is how you repay her kindness shame on you both I sat there for what felt like hours replaying the video reading and rereading the comments the Betrayal cut deep reopening wounds I thought had long since healed finally I picked up my phone and dialed Aunt Maggie's number oh Cameron dear she said when she answered her voice full of sympathy I take it you've

seen the video yeah I coked my voice raw from crying I can't believe it Aunt Maggie how could they I could hear the anger in her voice as she replied they've always been like this Cameron you just haven't been around to see it I'm sorry you had to find out this way but maybe it's for the best you deserve to know the truth we talked for hours and Maggie comforting me as I cycled through shock anger and grief as night fell I made a decision I'm cutting them off I told Aunt Maggie my voice firm

despite the pain in my heart no more money no more help they made their bed now they can lie in it the days following the video Revelation were some of the hardest of my life my phone buzzed constantly with messages and calls from my parents but I couldn't bring myself to answer their words so cruel and untrue played on a loop in my mind finally after a week of Silence I sent them a brief called text I've seen the video I know what you really think of me don't contact me again the money stops now

their responses came flooding in immediately at first they were apologetic Cameron sweetie we're so sorry we didn't mean any of it please forgive us but as the days passed and I maintained my silence their tune changed we're your parents you owe us each message Twisted the knife deeper but I stood firm I'd given them chance after chance and they'd thrown it all back in my face it was time to break the cycle Lily surprisingly stayed out of it at work she was the model employee efficient and professional if she harbored any resentment over the loss

of our parents financial support she didn't show it our interactions remained cordial but distant I'm not taking sides she told me one day after a staff meeting it's between you and them I nodded appreciating her neutrality even if part of me wished she'd stand up for me but I understood she had her own child to think of about now as the weeks turned into months I found myself leaning heavily on Aunt Maggie our Sunday video calls became the highlight of my week she'd regail me with stories from her Garden or her latest baking Adventure providing

a much needed dose of normaly in the chaos my life had become you're doing the right thing Cameron she'd assure me when doubts crept in don't let them manipulate you anymore to my surprise other relatives began reaching out too cousin Sarah who'd always been kind to me at family gatherings sent me a heartfelt email I saw the video I want you to know I think you're amazing Cameron what you've achieved how you've helped everyone you're an inspiration don't let anyone tell you otherwise Uncle Bob dad's brother called me out of the blue kid I've watched

you grow up and become this incredible woman your parents are fools if they can't see how special you are you've got family in your corner remember that these messages of support were like bomb to my Wounded Heart I realized that while I might have lost my parents I'd gained a family who appreciated me for who I truly was as the year Drew to a close Mr Reeves called me into his office I went in nervous wondering if the family drama had somehow affected my work performance instead he smiled broadly and said Cameron I'm retiring next

year I want you to take over as CEO of the restaurant group I stood there shocked into silence finally I managed to stammer out R are you sure he nodded his eyes twinkling I've never been more sure of anything in my life you've earned this Cameron you're the reason this business has flourished it's time you took the Reigns as I left his office my head spinning with possibilities I realized something profound the little girl who'd been overlooked and underestimated had grown into a woman who'd surpassed everyone's expectations including her own