They Loved My Bully

My parents raised me with extreme "tough love" since I was a kid.

They always said that only in desperate situations can one learn to survive, and only through adversity can one make a comeback.

So, in the freezing winters, I scavenged for recyclable cans to pay my rent, getting severe frostbite on my hands.

In the summers, I walked miles to save a few dollars on bus fare, ending up with heatstroke. During school, I skipped meals to save money and ruined my stomach.

But later, I saw my parents celebrating the birthday of the poor kid who bullied me at school.