I knew it was going to be difficult to find a job and live on our own, but I was determined to get out of our Mom’s house.
She was unreliable and rarely home.
She spent most of his money on booze and pills. I was taking care of more than 2 younger siblings and I wanted a life for myself. I knew running away was our only option. I left the condo at 17 and I found a job working with a cleaning service. The cleaning service worked on commercial and residential properties. I got assigned to work at a cannabis dispensary. Every night after the store closed, it was our job to clean the windows, floors, and shelves. I had a routine that was quick and thorough and I was out of the cannabis shop in many minutes. I didn’t mind cleaning the dispensary. The money was pretty good and the job minutes made it possible for myself and others to work another area time job during the day. Between the 2 jobs I gained enough money for our own apartment. I found a one study room flat 2 miles from the cannabis shop and I didn’t have to drive or take the bus to either one of the job locations. I continued to support our younger siblings and eventually our little sibling moved in with me. Somehow, every one of us all managed to survive our mother. All of us have jobs and relationships and goals. My mother ended up in prison for the next 10 years, but our siblings and I all lead normal and productive lives.