Chapter 1: My Dreams

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Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being someone who owns a big business. But as of my situation now, I'm someone who needs to keep on going so I could provide for my family. My mom has been in an accident five months ago. And now, she can't walk because of the bone fracture it caused to her. So, I was left to do almost everything. I'm still thankful because my two brothers are here. I haven't personally met my dad but he's living miles away from here.

Carson is five years younger than me and Jacob is two years younger than him but their personalities don't have a big difference. They're both in middle school and I didn't want them to stop studying. For them to continue their studies, I left school a month after my mom got her half-body paralyzed. She's the only one who works for us but now, she couldn't anymore so I did.

I applied to work at a famous bakery here in San Antonio, Texas. Fortunately, the owner of the bakery is one of my mom's close friends and when he got the news of what happened to her, he helped us on paying the bills and he also offered me a job and I accepted it right away. We have a lot of debt to him and I'm now trying to pay him back. Some of her other friends help us too but we do need a lot of money for her weekly therapies.

I'm very sad to see that at some point, she loses hope of her, having the chance to walk again. I know it's always not easy for her to keep on going on with the living. So, I always make a plan to make her think positively every time.

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I got up early. I always wake up at 5:00 AM because at 6:00 AM the bakery should be open. I will soon be working there for five months and I am also very grateful that my income is enough for household expenses. I don't think my salary should be that much but my mom's friend raised it so that I wouldn't have a problem.

I have doubled my efforts so that one day I will be able to pay the money that I am indebted to Uncle Steve. He has helped us so much. It's really good that he's there. Otherwise, I don't know what to do to support my family.

Since I have never met my dad, we have no financial support to get from him. My mom and he was working in California then and my siblings and I were left with our grandparents they took care of us but they died three years ago. I remember then that mom came home because she was pregnant and after she give birth she would go back to California to continue working. Until I found out that dad and she were separated and we would never see him anymore.

Mom's savings from work were also quickly depleted when she had an accident. That's another reason why she often breaks down because the huge money she saved for us, her children, was spent on her treatment and therapies as well. I don't blame her, no one does. No one liked what happened and now the person who got her into an accident is in jail.

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Here I am at the bakery and I have turned on the lights. I also flipped the open and closed sign so that people would know that we are open. I immediately went to the baking area so that I could prepare the ingredients that will be used to bake the bread. The baker's assistant and the baker himself arrived just in time so they were able to start. I've been working for them since I started working here. They are kind to me and of course, I am kind to them. It's not hard for me to talk or communicate as long as I am also respected as a person.

There aren't too many people outside yet because it's too early. Usually, we have already had a customer at 7:00 AM and that is the exact time when there are freshly baked loaves of bread. The income of this bakery is also high because it is just next to the park where people always pass by and it is also here that those who are just coming to work sometimes have breakfast. There are also a few chairs here just in case they have breakfast here. Sometimes they just take it out because they might be late for work.

After a long day I put the donut in the paper bag I was going to take home. The owner of this bakery, Uncle Steve, told us that we can go home after work, just don't abuse because of course we might take home more than the bakery's income. I also don't have much to go home because I said, my income is relatively stable now because I earn a lot.

When I got home, I saw mom knitting. I think it's a scarf because cold days are also near. It rarely snows here in San Antonio but it is also cold so you also need thick clothing. When I entered, Carson already cooked. Fortunately, my siblings are also hardworking, even when they are still young. I also have no problem at home when I go home because our dinner is already cooked. Jacob set the plate on the table before we ate.

"Good evening, mom," I greeted her before handing her a paper bag filled with donuts and kissing her cheek.

"Thank you, my child," she said smiling before peeking inside the paper bag.

"Dinner is ready," Carson said. I just smiled. I paused and looked at my family. It was great even though we were poor.

I am Gwen. I am the breadwinner of my family and this is my beautiful life in San Antonio.