later

Seven Dollars

As a child, I never truly realized the unfortunate situation I was in financially. As I got a little older, I began to notice the subtle differences I had with the kids that sat around me in class. I did not seem to have all the school supplies and the nice clothes that they had, and I soon learned the feeling of shame because of that. I could not understand why I had to be the person who didn’t have everything. Why it couldn’t be the kid next to me.

My early years of public school education consisted mostly of trying to be accepted by those around me. I would constantly goof around, tell jokes, make funny noises; I would try anything I could just to get and keep attention. I loved being the class clown. I enjoyed having the respect and friendship of my peers. It was all a release from my life at home.

Life seemed to be perfect, and nobody or nothing could knock me down off my thrown. Life was perfect outside of my home, at least. But i...