I sat silently, already knowing where this was going.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing is,\u201d Cassandra interjected, \u201cwe\u2019ve calculated everything. Even with Eric\u2019s salary and Mom helping with the down payment, we\u2019re still short.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShort for what?\u201d I asked, though I already knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to use your college fund,\u201d Mom stated flatly. \u201cIt\u2019s not like you don\u2019t have scholarships already. And community college is perfectly respectable. You can transfer later when things aren\u2019t so tight for the family.\u201d<\/p>\n
My college fund\u2014the money Dad had started before the divorce, the money Mom had promised was untouched. The fund I was counting on to cover what scholarships wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that\u2019s my money,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cDad set it aside for my education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cassandra rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t be selfish, Hazel. We\u2019re talking about a home for your niece and nephews. Where are they supposed to sleep? Should Benjamin live in a closet because you want to attend some fancy university?\u201d<\/p>\n
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