Gotta Get Out

Author: Lizbeth Escalante

In my pocket, I had a candy wrapper, a ticket stub, and my uncle’s credit card. I did not know where I was going, but I was going. I’m finally leaving this town. This small, rural town has a population of 400 people. Everyone knows everyone and leaving isn’t an option. Every business is family owned and every family owns a business. When an owner dies it gets passed down to their child and so on. No exceptions. No one can leave. There is one school for all the children ages 5 to 12, once you turn 13 you are required to start working. There is no retirement, no days off, no vacation time. You must work until you drop dead. The oldest worker is my great grandmother, she is 95 years old and has worked since she was 13. I’ve always known this would be my future but now, as my 13th birthday approaches, it becomes more and more real. Two days ago, I decided that I would leave and start my own life. There has only been one other person to attempt this, my uncle. He was my favorite person and I looked up to him greatly. He told me this was not a life worth living and there is so much more than just working. He was caught and killed three days later. That was six years ago. I know it is dangerous but I have to try. I know there is a better life for me out there. One where I can get an education, have a job that I love to do, and not have a burden on my shoulders to take over the family business one day. So here I stand, at the gate of our town. In my pocket, I have a candy wrapper, a ticket stub, and my uncle’s credit card. I may not be starting with much, but I have a dream and that is all I need.