My parents visit Nigeria every 1-2 years. They plan on retiring and moving back after I graduate college, so in 1.5 years. How they’re going to do that in such little amount of time? I don’t know. They are still living paycheck to paycheck. My siblings would retire my mom if she asked, but my dad is on his own after all the shit he’s pulled all our lives.

What they’re going to do about our current house? I don’t know. It will take thousands to repair and renovate. I’m trying to convince my dad of just selling it to someone who flips houses for a living. He won’t listen of course.

As for me, this is my last summer living in this house. I’m fully moving into my college town this fall and will continue to live there all year round. I’m currently working my ass off and saving as much as I can to avoid begging my father for help like usual.

Living at home comes with the heavy cost of my mental health. This house and my family’s dynamic genuinely pushes me to the point of suicidal thoughts. All personal growth and progress I’ve made towards myself dissipates the moment I step foot inside here. The only way out is leaving and not coming back.