I knew it was going to be difficult to find a job and live on my own, but I was determined to get out of my Mom’s house.
She was unreliable and rarely home.
She spent most of her money on booze and pills. I was taking care of four younger siblings and I wanted a life for myself. I knew running away was my only option. I left the house 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 my 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 three hours. I didn’t mind cleaning the dispensary. The money was pretty good and the job hours made it possible for me to work another part time job during the day. Between the two jobs I earned enough money for my own apartment. I found a one bedroom flat two 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 my younger siblings and eventually my little sister moved in with me. Somehow, we all managed to survive our mother. All of us have jobs and relationships and goals. My mother ended up in prison for the next ten years, but my siblings and I all lead normal and productive lives.