The Card with Zero Balance

Summary

The year I started middle school, my parents solemnly handed my sister and me each a bank card.

"This is your college fund. There's 100,000 dollars in each one. The password is your birthday. Don't touch it unless it's truly an emergency."

I listened. I treated that card like a treasure.

I never bought a single new piece of clothing. Even my worn-out canvas shoes got patched with glue and worn again.

I thought that if I was just responsible enough, I'd live up to my parents' idea of "fairness."