My daughter filled three shopping carts, and when the cashier announced the total was 980 dollars, she ordered me in front of everyone, “Pay. It’s the least you can do for living with us.” I closed my wallet, said “No,” and walked away without arguing. She still didn’t know that later that night, I would stop paying for something far more important than groceries.

Now, I was finally taking my life back, and none of them had any idea what was going to happen when dawn broke the next morning.

PART 2

I boarded a local city bus without having any clear idea of where I was actually going to go.

My phone buzzed continuously in my coat pocket, and Stephanie tried calling me fourteen times in a row before I finally pressed answer.

“Where the hell are you?” she shouted so loudly that the sound vibrated through the small speaker.

“I had to abandon three full carts of food at the register, and Clinton’s boss is coming over with no dinner prepared!”