"Can I borrow ten bucks?" Koral asks. She is pleading with me, inching closer with her hand out.

"No. This is not a charity I am willing to donate to," I tell her with a rather regal charm.

"I'm your sister," Koral says. She is shocked. I can tell. Her overplucked eyebrows arch into her bangs. "Why would you even..."

She storms off. I can hear her complaining to Mom. That stupid idiot won't loan me any money! I asked so nicely.

I moved across the carpet, silently, so I can hear what my Mom says. She is the reason I am trying to save up. I know she wants the house to herself. She has never liked the burden of children. She is scared of what we will do when we grow up when we leave the house. She thinks we are too weak to survive without her.

"He doesn't have to give you money," Mom says. She uses the same tone with our father. I don't have to give you money, Hank. You don't do anything to deserve it.

There are parts of me that Mom admires. She admires how independent I am because it makes her look good. She thinks it shows she is a good mother, despite not wanting to be a mother at all. Weird, to me, but it happens. I hate math, but I am good at it. I suppose it's using your tools to gain what you truly want?

For me, it's getting out of this house.

For Mom, it's being seen as a powerful and generous person, so she can reap the rewards of stupid people. Still, she is fair in how she deals with us. She won't take our money, she pays for things we need. She cares on some level, even if that level is not one Koral or Hank appreciates.

"I asked him for ten dollars and he said no," Koral says, furious.

"Have you ever given him money? You haven't paid me back for the twenty I loaned you six months ago," Mom says. "I let it go because you're 17. But Joe, he doesn't have to loan you anything. I wouldn't."

"You are so alike. Ya know?" Koral is dramatic.

"Smart. We are both very smart," Mom says. "Now, don't you dare try and take the money. Get a job if you want some."

"Ugh."

Koral slams the door on her way out of the house.

"Joe," Mom calls. She knows I am listening. "Here is your $40. You were right. She threw another fit."

I take the money and put it in my wallet. I plan to put it in the bank.

Just like Batman would do. Save money, get out, make changes in the world.