Early morning. I'm in my parents' house. They're preparing to go to work. I'm still in bed. Through the walls, I hear my dad sing a prayer: "May my son be well, though I don't understand him." I feel moved... then suddenly wary about letting myself be moved before I know just what a man who doesn't understand me means by "well."

When I get up, I find out. My parents happily announce they've arranged to give me away, to my aunt's family. "They're in radio, and they plan to apprentice you in this growing, exciting field."

I don't even get into whether they have a right to give me away like a car. "Will I get paid?"

"Oh, no, it's such a privilege to get into this exclusive industry!" says my mom.

"You'll get valuable experience for free!" says my dad.

"You're about to get a valuable experience!" I snarl.

And give them one.

NOTES NEXT MORNING

Warning: Turn down John's offer to join his nonprofit project. It's a noble cause, he's a friend, but it's my parents' voices in my head urging me to do this just for the experience. I need to get paid!

And don't trust your parents. This is how they are. And they'll never see it. They want to love you, they fondly think they do... and they'll betray you for your own good every time.

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