“And I need to know if you’re going to be here.”

I looked at the studio calendar.

The next six weeks were filling with small recording sessions and workshops.

I’d also been asked to help with sound for a local theater production.

None of it was glamorous, but the combined income was beginning to approach what I earned stocking shelves at night.

“I think I’m ready to leave,” I said, surprised by how calm the words felt.