Chapter 2: weight of responsibility

Mom had advanced lung disease.

The doctor said it was likely caused by years of stress and exposure to harsh conditions at work.

The treatment was expensive, and the doctor said Mom couldn't keep working.

She needed to rest and focus on getting better.

I looked at Mom's face when she heard she had to rest. She looked worried. "I can't take time off," she said. "Who will pay the bills? Who will put food on the table?"

I tried to reassure her. "Mom, we'll figure it out. You need to get better first." But how could we survive without her income? The thought of losing her, like we'd lost Dad, terrified me.

As days went by, Mom got weaker. As a result, I started handling almost everything.

Every day started the same.

I woke up very early in the morning.

First, I made breakfast for my mom and Emilio.

Then I helped my mom with whatever she needed, whether it was bringing her water, helping her sit up, or just talking to her to make sure she was okay. Once I knew they were both taken care of, I rushed off to school.

School wasn't easy for me. Most of the time, I was tired. My body felt heavy, and my mind was somewhere else, on my mom, Emilio and all the work waiting for me when school ended.

I tried my best to pay attention, but sometimes it felt impossible.

When the school day ended, I didn't have time to rest. I would head straight to Emilio's school to pick him up.

He'd talk about his day as we walked home, and I'd listen even though I had a lot on my mind, thinking about what I had to do next.

When we got home, I made lunch or dinner, depending on the time.

I'd check on Mom again, make sure she was comfortable, and give her any medicine she needed.

Afterward, I cleaned up around the house,washing dishes, sweeping the floor, or doing laundry if there was time. I even helped Emilio with his homework, even though I barely had time for my own.

By evening, it was time to look for work.

I didn't have a specific job; I just did whatever I could find.

Some nights, I helped at the local grocery store, stocking shelves or carrying bags for customers. Other nights, I worked at a nearby mechanic shop, cleaning tools or sweeping the floor.

Sometimes, I helped neighbors with yard work, like mowing lawns or trimming hedges. The jobs weren't easy, especially since I was already so tired, but I worked hard because I needed the money.

When I got paid, I would first buy anything we needed at home: food, medicine for Mom, or school supplies for Emilio.

Then, when I got home, I would check on Mom again. If she needed anything, I would help Emilio finish his homework or sometimes read a book with him before he goes to bed."

At the end of the day, when everyone else was asleep, I'd lie in my bed and think.

The money I made wasn't enough.

There were too many bills, rent, medicine, groceries and I felt like I was failing my family.

I started to wonder if staying in school was worth it.

If I dropped out, I could work fulltime and make more money. But if I left school, what kind of future would I have? What kind of example would I be setting for Emilio?

One night, after weeks of thinking about it, I made up my mind.

I decided to drop out of school. It wasn't an easy decision, but I felt like it was the only choice I had.

After that, I started looking for a better paying job. I felt sad about leaving school, but I knew I had to do whatever it took to make sure my mom and Emilio were okay.

It wasn't the life I wanted, but it was the life I had. And I was determined to face it the best way I could.