*Growing up to fast* ((plz read))

Before time

**this story will switch from Ivy, to Ivy's mother, father, and narrator's  perspective**

  There is a story behind everyone's upbringing, how we all came to be: why we act the way we do. We learn or fail from our environment and choices. Everyone has struggled at some point but how do you know if your normal, is normal?  Sure, we don't always put ourselves in hardships and some do come naturally, but do you ever feel like the universe set you up for failure for personal shits and giggles? Is our story designed by faith or decisions? We probably will never know but we will always question it. This story begins before Ivy is born, this helps to understand her background, and why she is who she is.

*Ivy's dads POV*

Ivy's dad has been an honorable man all his life, he had been a grown man since a child. Ivy's dad wasn't as fortunate as others and grew up with a different understanding than the more fortunate. Ivy's father Lee understood the only thing given to him in life, was life itself, he had to work young to eat. His mother had also lived a life with unfortunate events which had led them to where they are now. With all pride and shame to the side, they did what they had to do to provide.

It wasn't fair, although I'm aware life will never be.
You never want to see your family struggle and it's sad to see them do it to themselves. Lee had been selling drugs since he was ten, helping his mom keep the family alive. Lee had two older sisters, two younger sisters and one little brother. All children were quite troubled but Lee was a mommy's boy who would never let her get hurt. Lee helped provide for the family by running the streets,  but this obviously drew attention.

Lee might have put himself into positions to get hurt, caught or even killed but he did his best to make it home to mom. He had always been grateful for his mom since his dad had stepped out when he was very young, then he had died by the time Lee was 10. It was only about time Lee would see his first set of bars and orange shoes shortly after. Lee was more prepared for prison time then a no-record future, he had eventually been in and out of juvenile detention centers and boys prison from 10-17. Lee ended up meeting the love of his life at 16, he tried to maintain a relationship with her, trying to stay out of jail. But sometimes the family business isn't something you can escape.

Lee had been through a few terrifying events due too the lifestyle his parents and family maintained. Lee was constantly dealing with someone, either his parents needed to be bailed out or his sister needed to be saved. It was very overwhelming keeping up with what needs to be done. Lee had to have moved a million times and had barley been to school. Lee had spent more time in jail then in any home. He was a fighting soul.

Although Lee might sound irresponsible he did what he was taught and that was to survive. Lee had been through so many events like his family getting robbed at a young age to his older/schizophrenic sister getting kidnapped and almost dying, to him being in and out of jail with other family, being homeless and more. It's not that Lee wanted this life, it's that he had built his path and needed to walk it. He had been hurt and he was pushing through, he was being strong. But he had to change.