Chapter 2
Two years ago, my family used to be pretty well-off.
My dad was the general manager at a major corporation, and my mom was a professional dancer.
I lived a carefree life, without anything to stress about. But everything changed when I was a sophomore in college. An unexpected car accident turned our world upside down.
My mom ended up paralyzed, stuck in bed for the rest of her life, and she could never dance again.
The doctors said if she got surgery within two years, there was a chance she might recover. But the longer we waited, the less likely it was she'd get better.
My dad sold our house and hit up everyone he knew for money, but it still wasn't enough.
He gave up his career to look after my mom.
We all squeezed into a tiny, run-down rental, struggling to make ends meet.
I watched my dad's hair turn gray overnight, and my mom, tears streaming down her face, said she wanted to die.
From that moment on, I had no choice but to grow up fast.
I realized that going to college was weighing my parents down more. So, I left school and found a job.
Making ends meet for all three of us was a real struggle. Whenever I had a free moment, I'd hustle for side jobs or odd gigs.
I worked nonstop, day and night, barely ever catching a break.
Sometimes, when I looked in the mirror, I'd be stunned by how exhausted and much older I looked.
Was this really me? I was twenty. How did I end up looking so old?
The notification yanked me back to reality. It was a message from HR. I'd been laid off. I lost the job I depended on to survive.
When things couldn't get any worse, I heard a commotion outside my door.
Mary Turner, my aunt-in-law, was yelling at the top of her lungs, "Hey, David. You still owe me six thousand dollars from last time. When are you gonna pay me back?"
"Sharon's got the money. Go ask her for it." My dad was anxiously banging on the door, telling me to go out and pay her back.
I opened the door, rubbing my hands together and putting on a pleading smile. I asked nervously, "Mary, could you maybe give us a little more time?"
Mary came at me hard, not letting up for a second. "We agreed you'd pay me back in a year. How long has it been now? Do you think my family's running a charity or something?"
My dad sat there, silent. He had all the cash, and all I had was enough for breakfast tomorrow.
Just two-fifty, enough for bread and some juice. No way I could pull that out in front of everyone.
Steeling myself, I begged, barely above a whisper, totally humbled, "Mary, it's not that I don't want to pay you back, but I really don't have anything on me."
Right then, I crushed my dignity underfoot, too ashamed to glance at my dad. "I lost my job. I'm unemployed now.
"Mary, can you wait a little longer? I swear I'll pay you back as soon as I land another job. Please, I'm begging you."
Mary's voice cut through the air like a knife. "No money? Then why did you hit us up for cash in the first place?
"Do you think your unemployment is my problem? You went to college, and now do you wanna act like a freeloader? Seriously?
"Don't think apologizing will make me pity you. How much is your dignity worth, huh?"
My cheeks were burning with embarrassment. But with everything going on at home... I could only shamelessly beg, "Mary, it's not that I don't want to pay you back. I really don't have any money right now.
"My mom's medication costs a few thousand dollars every month, and I..."
Mary cut me off, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "How much do you make with your little office job? Since you can't pay up, let me show you the way.
"You're still young, aren't you? Why not work at a nightclub? You could probably sell yourself for a good price.
"That way, you could pay me back and cover your mom's surgery, too. Isn't that perfect?"
She was really nasty about it. But I couldn't protest.
My dad stayed silent the whole time.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hands clenched into fists, veins popping.
I looked up and caught a glimpse of the hurt in his eyes.
When I tried to look closer, he was back to his usual calm expression. Maybe I was imagining things.