I resumed part-time payroll work from home with a local construction company that trusted me to set my own hours.

It wasn’t glamorous.

Every completed spreadsheet felt like a brick in a foundation.

Brandon did not like that I was working again.

“I can provide,” he told me during a visit.

“You were supposed to provide before.”

“You keep throwing that in my face.”

“I’m trying to make sure I can cover groceries regardless of your mood.”