My own money, for the first time.

I was about 15 years old, I was helping to carry sand and cement because we fixed the fence on the wall of our new house. It was a small house but it was ours.

While we were fixing the fence the postman arrived with a letter for me. The letter said that I had been given a scholarship to finish my high school studies. I only had one year left in high school so I got a check for several months overdue and then the checks would come in monthly.

I was very excited. I would have my own money to buy my own clothes, shoes and to help my mother with the household expenses.

But I was a minor so my representative had to go with me to cash the check. So my was there and he saw everything. So he didn't think it was a bad thing this time to accompany me on an errand. He never could, he was always busy driving his transport cart and the money he got from that was always for his own expenses.

We went to the bank and I gave the check to the cashier he looks at my father and gives him the money, I hope that once we get in the car he gives me my money... But he doesn't give it to me! So I ask him, "Why won't you give me my money back?". He answers with, "You aren't doing anything with that money, you don't need anything, you have food and clothes, but I need this money to buy me some things."

I had no right to complain, He would slap me then and at home he would beat me with his belt for saying something contrary to his opinion...

I came home very sad, my mother can't do anything. She is always submissive because my father is very aggressive and violent once upset. He would hit me and my mother too. So I just go into my room and start crying.

Other payments came and the same thing happened. He always stole my money with excuses, a wheel for the car, a filter, an accident, all lies of course, that money would go to his vices, alcohol and prostitutes.

I had to come up with something so that it stops happening. I went with my older sister, she was very pretty and ended up impressing the bank teller who did not hesitate to give her the money. Finally! I would have my money, these few remaining months would be mine! There won't be more money for him, Huzzah!

When he asked me about it I replied that no more checks were coming... He believed it.

When those months ended I started to study at another institute that also gave me a scholarship. With that money I did my higher studies and graduated with merits.

The funny thing is that he never knew that I studied with a new scholarship, he always thought that students only needed a house and clothes.