Behind The Wheel

Behind the Wheel I slid into the cream pleather bucket seat, strapped the old black seatbelt across my chest, adjusted the mirrors, put one of the two keys for the vehicle into the ignition, stepped on the clutch, turned the key and felt the rumble and shake of the snorting engine. I set the CD face plate in its niche and tuned to my favorite station. I gazed over at my dad thinking, “I did it! I had purchased my car on my own!” I could barely hear my thoughts over the sound of the engine, but my smile stretch from ear to ear. I had proven to my chauvinist dad that I was a financially sufficient woman, and able to afford all the responsibilities of car ownership. My family of six was considered low income, living off of only my father’s income which meant that we did not have possessions of luxury, we had necessity. My brothers all wore hand-me-downs from each other, while most of my clothing came donated from our church members. I had been homeschooled for most of my schooling which allowed me to start working at a very young age as a
Since America is known for its endless possibilities and new beginnings, it means that when we are born into poverty it does not mean that we as an individual are going to stay in poverty, we are free to choose how to make our financial growth. I knew that just because I grew up in a low-income family, did not mean that I was bound to stay that way. I recognized in my youth that driving was one way to helping me achieve my more. I remember the day the fire was lit in me to prove to my dad that I didn’t need to rely on him, I could make my dreams come true and I would do it completely on my