The fields were endless, stretching under the bright sun. I wasn't expected to do heavy work—I was still a child—but watching my parents work was painful. My stepfather's hands grew rougher every day, and my mother's back bent more and more from the labor. Sweat trickled down their faces, their shirts sticking to their bodies.
I sat under the shade of a tree, sometimes playing with other children, sometimes staring at the ground, feeling helpless. Every time they called my name, I would run with a small container of water, trying to ease their thirst.
"Kinley, a little water," my mother would call.
I would rush to her, holding the cup carefully, wishing I could do more. But deep inside, I knew I couldn't carry their burdens. All I could do was watch. And watching them suffer for hours under the scorching sun carved a sharp pain into my heart.
Seven long hours passed before we finally headed home. My parents walked slowly, exhausted yet determined. At home, we washed, ate a simple meal, and fell asleep early.
This routine repeated itself for nearly half a month. By then, my parents had saved enough money to buy food, school supplies, and other small things my sister and I needed.
The fields were endless, stretching under the bright sun. I wasn't expected to do heavy work—I was still a child—but watching my parents work was painful. My stepfather's hands grew rougher every day, and my mother's back bent more and more from the labor. Sweat trickled down their faces, their shirts sticking to their bodies.
I sat under the shade of a tree, sometimes playing with other children, sometimes staring at the ground, feeling helpless. Every time they called my name, I would run with a small container of water, trying to ease their thirst.
"Kinley, a little water," my mother would call.
I would rush to her, holding the cup carefully, wishing I could do more. But deep inside, I knew I couldn't carry their burdens. All I could do was watch. And watching them suffer for hours under the scorching sun carved a sharp pain into my heart.
Seven long hours passed before we finally headed home. My parents walked slowly, exhausted yet determined. At home, we washed, ate a simple meal, and fell asleep early.
This routine repeated itself for nearly half a month. By then, my parents had saved enough money to buy food, school supplies, and other small things my sister and I needed.