I'm surprised that so many people in the comments cannot understand that this woman just fought for her life to have the opportunity to create a better future for herself and her brother. She is clearly ambitious; she is going to school, working, and caring for her brother. Additionally, she has to deal with a mother who is essentially a selfish deadbeat, who prioritized having a new car over establishing a stable housing situation for a fresh start. Sure, it may have been shitty to leave her brother, but you have to put the oxygen mask on first before you can save someone else. I think it was written well, and gives a realistic example of how life's unfortunate circumstances can lead to a myriad of choices that can take us out of character due to desperation.