Growing Up Poor

By S. Seme

This book is about the maturation of a girl who grew up poor. She was determined to make a lot of money and to find a meaningful relationship. And she did. I think all readers can identify with this story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. Seme
• Release date: Jan 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386902782

Book preview

Growing Up Poor

By

S. Seme

Chapter 1

I was in pre-school by two. My parents divorced when I was five. They never got along. I would hear shouting coming from my parents’ bedroom a few times a week.  Last night they had another fight.

I can’t take your behavior. Treat me with respect or you can leave, my mother screamed.

I don’t get along with you so it’s hard to respect you, my father screamed back.

My mother after calming down asked, Why can’t you love me? Am I such a horrible person?

No, but I don’t want to be married to you, my father answered.

We have a child. Can’t you stay for her? my mother asked.

I’ve tried, and I can’t, my father answered.

The next day my father packed his belongings and left. For the next few months my mother was a mess. She didn’t eat much and smoked a pack of cigarettes every day. She looked and smelled terrible. She was having a pity party and even I, a five-year-old, understood the reason for her sadness. When I saw her cry, I would say, Mommy don’t cry. Daddy will come home.

No honey, he’s not coming home, but he’ll be there for you. He loves you. Do you understand? my mom answered.

Yes mommy, I responded. But I didn’t understand. It was beyond what I could grasp. I couldn’t understand why my father didn’t love my mother.

I loved her. Why didn’t he? I asked myself.

My mother knew what she had to do; get a job and move to a less expensive place. She needed a kick in the behind to get going, but it wasn’t up to me, a mere child, to give her that kick.

After a month of mourning her marriage my mother got it together. She contacted a realtor and found a small house to rent and a week later found a job that allowed her to be home for me when I got out of school.  I was amazed at her recovery and determination. I thought, Hope I’m just like her when I grow up.

I liked our house and didn’t want to move. The day before we were due to move I had a meltdown. All the changes were too much for me to bear. In fear I shouted, You’re a mean mommy. I want to live with daddy.

My mother wasn’t hurt by my remark. She understood and comforted me