A sizzling hot shared barbecue platter was set before us. Adam happily gnawed on a rib while everyone else ignored the fact that I couldn't chew meat anymore because of my lack of teeth.

I could only drink bowl after bowl of soup until I was finally just full of liquid. When it came time to pay, Raymond received a phone call. "Mom, sorry, but something came up at work. Vivian doesn't have any money on her, so can you pay first? I'll pay you back later."

He then left in a hurry. I didn't even look his way when I paid the bill, as I had already expected this. "Calculating… Money for food has been credited."

It would seem like my son was really going to end up with a huge IOU.

After seeing Vivian and Adam off, I went next door to visit Susan Glenn since I had nothing else to do. "Oh my, Beatrice, why are you still dressed so plain? If you're going to enjoy being taken care of, you should at least dress up a bit!"

I smiled, giving a dismissive wave. "Enjoy being taken care of? I just like wearing whatever is comfortable."

She clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Why don't you learn a thing or two from your son's mothers-in-law? She showed up at the grocery store this morning, decked out in gold and fine jewelry. She told everyone they were from her wonderful son-in-law. You're simply too modest, Beatrice."

I froze upon hearing that. Gold and fine jewelry? Raymond had told me that gold and fine jewelry were too expensive these days, so it wasn't a good time to buy.

Seeing my face fall, Susan quickly tried to smooth things over with an awkward laugh.

"Oh dear, I shouldn't have run my mouth. Raymond's a good son. Didn't he just say he'd buy you gold earrings the other day? You must be worried about misplacing them, right?

"Seriously, Beatrice, you've been frugal your whole life. It's time to start living a little."

I left Susan's house in a daze and ended up at the farmers' market. From a distance, I spotted Vivian's mother, Shirley Hunter, dressed as eye-catching as a peacock, chatting with a vendor.

She was laughing so loudly it seemed like she wanted everyone to know how good her life was. "Oh, this bracelet? My son-in-law had it made for me two days ago! It's made of a third of an ounce of solid gold! He really is so thoughtful!"

I lowered my head to look at my old, patched-up pants and worn-out shoes. Then, I touched my earlobe, feeling nothing but my pierced holes.

The earrings I was promised were a tenth of an ounce of gold, while Shirley's bracelet was a third of an ounce.

I scoffed in anger and called Raymond.

"Raymond, I passed by that jewelry store and saw that pair of earrings again. I really like them. Has gold gotten cheaper these days?"

His impatient voice came through the phone.

"No, it hasn't gotten cheaper! All you ever do is ask for things. I'll buy them for you in a couple of days, alright?"

Before I could respond, the line went dead. I waited with a smirk on my face.

"Calculating… 30,000 dollars for gold earrings has been credited."

It wasn't good to go back on one's word. If I didn't teach him that before, then I should teach him now.

I turned to leave, but I was stopped by Shirley.

"Well, if it isn't Beatrice! You raised your son so well! He's not only polite but also generous with gifts. He's certainly a capable man!"

She happily fiddled with her bracelet. "Look at this shine and craftsmanship. Isn't it exquisite? Where are the earrings your son got you? Why aren't you wearing them?"

I gave a mysterious smile. "The earrings are still on their way over."

"Oh, so you got them online? They're probably not going to be as legit as the ones from a physical jewelry store like my bracelet."

She continued with a sideways glance, "But since the ones online are cheaper, they suit you better. Also, I heard from Raymond that you're not going abroad with them."

Acting all sympathetic, she said, "You don't have to be too upset. I'll be there to watch over them for you. They said they'd only feel at ease if I went with them, you know.

"Anyway, you sure are one tough cookie, Beatrice. I can't believe you're still okay after a stroke! You'll probably do just fine on your own, right?"

I kept my smile intact, but I was close to grinding away my remaining teeth.

Didn't Raymond say his new place was too small to bring me along? Then how could it fit Shirley, who had a much larger frame than I?

It turned out that he was so busy being a good son-in-law that he couldn't care less about his own mother.

Shirley walked off smugly, like a cocky hen that had come out on top.

I called Raymond immediately, but he didn't pick up. With no other option, I called Vivian. After hearing everything I had to say, she dropped her act altogether.

"Beatrice, I hate to say this, but you're kind of a slob and overly frugal. You'll set a bad example for Adam. It's not like we're not going to support you. We'll send you money every month and visit during the holidays."

I trembled with rage, my voice turning shrill. "That's blatant favoritism!"

"So what if it is? She's my mother. If you want someone to take care of you in your old age, go talk to your own son. See if he'll listen to you."

After she hung up on me, I felt my blood rush to my head. Soon, everything went dark, and I passed out.

When I slowly came to, I found myself lying in a hospital bed again. The nurse changing my IV didn't notice I was awake and was chatting with a colleague.

"Hey, did you hear? This Beatrice Chambers' son came to the hospital two days ago to give Dr. Glover a gift to express his appreciation!"

"What? That can't be right. This patient's attending physician isn't Dr. Glover."

"But Dr. Glover is his mother-in-law's doctor! When that woman twisted her ankle, he ran around doing everything for her and stayed with her for a whole month!"

"Then why hasn't he come to see his own mother when she's hospitalized?"

"I heard when the hospital called him about the bill, he said, 'Just let her fend for herself!'"

The nurse gasped. "What? That's inhumane!"

I closed my eyes. Warm tears slid down my face, and by the time they reached my hairline, they were already cold.

My wonderful son had been my pride and hope since he was little. He was my whole world.

I knew he was always just good with words and did nothing to back them up, but I never thought he'd be this heartless.

If that were the case, then he would have to pay that IOU after all. After making up my mind, I gently tugged at the nurse's sleeve.

Startled, she quickly replaced my IV bag, checked the monitors, and asked how I was feeling.

Looking into her eyes, I felt a wave of sorrow.

Even a stranger with no connection to me did more than my own son, who refused to take even the slightest responsibility.

I sat propped up on the hospital bed as the doctor tactfully suggested I call Raymond so he could come handle the bill and caregiving.

I forced a smile, trembling as I dialed the number I knew by heart.

The call quickly connected. "What is it? I'm busy right now."

Just as I was about to speak, I heard Shirley's voice in the background. "Oh wow, your house is so big! It's bright and spacious!"

I swallowed what I was about to say and asked bitterly, "Raymond, you won't abandon me, right?"

"Mom, what are you saying? You'll always be my mom! I'll definitely take care of you in the future!"

I blinked away my burning ears. "I'm in the hospital. Could—"

"Something came up at work. I'm hanging up."

When I heard the beeping from the phone, I could no longer hold back my tears. I lifted my head and, through my blurred vision, noticed the doctor's sympathetic gaze.

My lips trembled as I said, "Doctor, I have money. I'll pay the bill myself."

Shaking her head, she patted my shoulder before turning to the nurse. "Apply for the subsidy for her. We should help her where we can."

As she walked away, I could vaguely hear her say, "How tragic…"

I was covering my face while sobbing when I heard that familiar voice ring out again.

"An empty promise has been detected. Calculating… Ten days remaining until scheduled IOU enforcement. As the debtor has made another empty promise, enforcement of the IOU begins immediately."

"Generating… Stamping in progress… One property worth 1 million dollars has been seized and liquidated. The debtor's account balance of 500 thousand dollars has been transferred.

"Remaining unpaid debt is 1.5 million dollars. Ding! Debt exceeds 1 million dollars. Debtor has been notified."

I laughed as tears fell, feeling bitter deep down, yet strangely satisfied.

The next second, Raymond's call came in.

He flew into a rage, yelling, "Why did all my money go into your account? And when have I owed you 1.5 million dollars?"