Page 53 of No Cap

That’s when I really started to get pissed.

“Is this it?” Humfrid gasped.

Dad beamed. “It’s it.”

She gasped and stood up, her arms in the air. “You got me a moped?”

Dad nodded, and together, they all went outside to look at it.

I gathered up the trash, then went into the kitchen for a trash bag.

When I got there, it was to see the light on in the oven, and none other than my least favorite dish in there cooking.

Everyone loved shrimp… except for me.

And it wasn’t that I didn’t like it. It was because I was allergic to shrimp. I couldn’t eat it.

And they knew it.

I must’ve stood there too long because Quincy came to find me long moments later.

“What are you staring at?” he asked curiously.

I licked my lips. “My mom made shrimp alfredo.”

He paused, his hand on my hip, and said, “You’re allergic to shellfish.”

I’d told the man once, and he’d remembered. Meanwhile, my parents couldn’t seem to retain that information even after over twenty years of having me.

I deflated even more. “Yeah.”

“Can you even be in the same room with it if they’re eating?” he asked, sounding like he was speaking through gritted teeth.

“Not a small room, no,” I said. “I might not ingest it, but it still affects my breathing. Clogs my nose up and makes me wheeze a little bit.”

“Hollis!” Humfrid bellowed from the living room. “You have my gift left!”

Woodenly, I walked into the room and grabbed the last present.

Inside was… the stupid gift set she’d been gifted last Christmas. The one she’d shown me with disgust on her face when Grandma had given it to her.

I stared at it… and lost it.

Not bothering to clean up the rest of my trash, I slowly gathered my things.

“Will you grab that?” I pointed at the smaller amp.

Quincy nodded, picking it up, startling Tay with the move, causing him to flinch backward.

I walked over to the couch and snatched up the messenger bag.

I’d return it.

I’d return that amp, too.

Then I’d go buy myself my computer.

What was the freakin’ point of them asking me what I wanted if they weren’t going to buy me any of it?