I’m 19, the third of five kids, clawing my way out of the poverty I grew up in while studying in college. Every dollar I have is saved from part-time jobs and the small trust my Grandpa Leo left us to help us get a start in life.
Then Rachel, my older sister with four kids and zero stability, invited us for dinner. I thought it was just a family meal, but she had a distinct look of triumph on her face. Grinning, she said, “I’M PREGNANT AGAIN!”
The table went silent. She and her boyfriend were already struggling to feed the four they had. I shockingly asked, “How will you afford it?”
She smirked, “We still have Grandpa Leo’s fund.”
My stomach dropped. I said, “You spent yours on that failed nail salon.” She had blown through her entire share two years ago on a business she abandoned after three months.
Rachel rolled her eyes. “So? You still have yours. Since I’m focusing on my studies and not starting a family yet, she felt entitled to my portion. “You don’t even have kids. You have to share.”
I looked at my mother for support, expecting her to be the voice of reason. Instead, Mom added, “Your sister needs this. Think of the baby.”
They weren’t asking. They demanded. They expected me to hand over the only thing keeping me in college and out of debt to fund Rachel’s choices.
So I… stood up, said I had to use the bathroom, and climbed out the window. I didn’t go back to the table. I went straight to my dorm.
The next morning, at 8:00 AM sharp, I walked into the university’s bursar office. I took every cent from Grandpa Leo’s fund and prepaid my tuition, my housing, and my meal plan for the next two and a half years. I even bought non-refundable text books for future semesters.
By 9:30 AM, my bank account balance was $12.45.
When I went home that weekend, Mom and Rachel were waiting with a laptop, ready to transfer the money.
“I can’t give it to you,” I said calmly.
“Don’t be selfish!” Rachel screamed.
“I’m not being selfish. I’m being educated,” I replied, handing them the receipt from the university. “The money is gone. It’s with the school now. Unless you want to attend my Physics 201 lectures, there’s nothing for you here.”
Rachel had a meltdown, and Mom called me ungrateful, but I slept soundly that night. Grandpa Leo wanted us to build a future, and that’s exactly what I did.
