It was the beginning of autumn. You could smell the afternoon dew in the moist air, everything in nature was beginning to show those beautiful red, orange, and yellow tones. It was the month of change and closure. I had just gotten out of school and was walking to the front of the red-bricked building to talk to some friends. The autumn breeze was pleasantly blowing my curly hair as I talked to my friends about my day.  Soon enough I heard my obnoxious ringtone sound. 

My grandma was here to pick me up, and even though she doesn’t mind I didn’t want to leave her waiting.  I said my goodbyes to my friends and started walking down the gray sidewalk to where my grandma would be parked.  I started counting the sections of the sidewalk that were chipped or broken. “12,13,14….15” until I finally reached her car. I knocked on the car window to let her know I was here and to open up since the door was locked. 

A few seconds late I got into the car one leg after the other. The fresh scent of the car refresher washed over me like a wave of tranquility which would be soon washed away with a hurricane. I heard the soft rumble of the engine indicating that we were pulling out. As she turn the corner I started telling her about my day.

“Oh yeah, tengo 4 cienes en pal de mis clases y un 110 en otra.” 4 hundred in some classes and a 110 in one of them.

“Bueno, para la proxima quiero ver 110 en todas.” next time i want 110’s in all of them. 

I was shocked. Hurt beyond belief. I had busted my butt, stayed up late nights studying for days on end just to get all A’s. I understand she’s pushing me for more, but she just belittled my hard work. She said she wanted all A’s, well I gave them to her. Just for her to demand 110’s in all of them. It was like anything I did would never be enough for her. 

From that windy autumn day to today, to forever I decided that I would stop trying to please her. I would stop trying to please everyone. If my grades were good enough for me they would be enough for everyone else too.