Miss Fortune

Zero

I don't mean to be that kind of girl who says "I'm not like everyone else, I'm so different." But uh....I'm not like everyone else, or at least I'm not what you'd consider the standard.

My life started out in a small town full off drunks, born with the cord wrapped around my throat to a mother in a failing relationship and a family that disowned her.
Don't worry, she wasn't alone, she had 6 kids.
Stop worrying, only 2 of us lived with her permanently. Anyways, before my mother's failed relationship with my father, things were pretty decent. I mean, I didn't know what poverty was so I thought we were doing great.

I thought my mother was the coolest, she had a bunch of girl friends that we considered family, she always partied and went out to the bar, and sometimes she'd even let me stay up late with them after they came home. That was only what I can remember though, before everything happened.
When I can remember things, they aren't good but I think at the time I saw her as some kind of idol, I loved her and I still do but it's different now.

I don't remember much about my father, he resented me because he believed my mother cheated on him; something about him not 'having the genes for a daughter' yet here I stand.
I don't hold it against him, he did the best he could with a child he hated.
I wasn't alone though, my brother shared my experience facing our father's disdain.

He was born two years before me, four days before Christmas and has ASD. Coming from an impoverished family when you have specials needs....I don't wish that on anyone. He was and still is the closest family member I stay in contact with, even though the thought of him and talking with him brings painful memories. I try my best, even when it's hard. He traumatized me just as much as anyone else in the family afterall.

My grandparents were probably my only safe haven, I was too young to remember my biological grandmother but my grandfather and his wife raised me when my mother was out partying. They taught me right from wrong and made me who I am today, I owe them my life.

Other than that my childhood was pretty normal. Growing up fat I didn't have many friends, that's just something that comes with the territory.
I was picked on often at school because of my weight but it didn't effect me since it was just things I'd hear at home.
I was the fat, poor girl.

What else? ....um...oh!
My name is Claire Fortune, it's nice to meet you.