Escaping Debt & Death

Chapter 1- It's too much!

Caroline

I scurried to the ladies's restroom at the bank. Today was unexpectedly busy, I'm already late for my job at the bar; I'd just change quickly, there's no time for a shower. My best friend & co-worker Jamie follows close behind, she's probably going to the gym today.

She's on the phone arguing with her mother about a new boyfriend, she's finally dating after a messy divorce.

"Mom I'm going to the gym, I'm taking things slow, I can't put Emma through another messy relationship" "Yes mom I understand." "Ok" "Love you too" she hung up and rolled her eyes "Mothers"

I giggled as I entered the bathroom stall. "She just cares about you and Emma" I tried to reason on her mother's behalf.

"What time are you finishing tonight?" she asked as she entered the stall next to me.

"Midnight" I responded.

"Caro…isn't that a bit much? when are you getting time to sleep?"

"I don't really have a choice right now."

I muttered under my breath.

She waited for whoever was washing their hands to exit the restroom.

"That's not healthy! You're on the road at 6am dropping off the kids...it's three different locations! then you come to this hellhole for eight plus hours, then the bar! There's gotta be a battery shoved up your ass because ain't no way you're not exhausted!" she exploded. No filter for her potty mouth.

I'm already touching up my makeup at the mirror, she is still changing so she doesn't see the tears fall. "Ignoring her comment completely, I respond "See you tomorrow ok babe... text me when you're home."

"I'm not done with you....she called from the restroom" "Tomorrow" I shouted already halfway down the hall.

I walk as fast as I could to check out with security and get to the bar.

I'm tired. Exhausted. But I can't let anyone see that side of me. I feel like a ticking bomb that's long over due to explode.

As I fumble for my keys to open my car, I hear the splat before I feel it. Great. f*****g great. Mr. Pigeon decided to shower his blessings on my shoulder. I'm sure some of it is in my hair. "Lord, why me?" I roll my eyes at the already evenfall sky. I throw my bags on to the passenger seat and pull out a wet wipe to clean the pigeon blessings off my shoulder.

Perks of been a mom to young kids; always prepared for a mess...

The bar is lit for a Monday afternoon. Then again... I understand...after the Monday I had I'd want a drink too.

Mike waves from the bar..."What took you so long?" "I've been holding a s**t since six o'clock!" I burst out laughing. "Long day boss, even longer now that I'm here." I sighed.

"You need a minute? You got some white stuff in your hair...what is that?"

"f*****g pigeon had diarrhea!" I blurted out unable to contain my laughter.

"Caro only you'd laugh at something another woman would cry for…"

Mike mused. As I walked down the hall to the bathroom to wash my hair.

"Yea well it's better I laugh than cry. Life is s**t as it is"

"Off with you. I'm here. I'll lock up, drive safe."

I take over seamlessly, three tabs open in private lounges and 12 tabs in the main lounge. The girls are bouncing back and forth, a lot of basic mixes and on the rocks tonight...I guess everyone had a hard Monday.

By the time I lock up it's almost 2a.m. I wait until the night driver picks up the last of the waitresses. He waits until I get into my car and drive out behind him.

It's 2:30a.m. by the time I pull into my own driveway, my phone is riddled with misses calls as of midnight, my husband called non stop for an hour. Of course I didn't answer because I was busy. I guess he called the bar because he texted that he's going to bed around 1a.m.

Shit. He's definitely pissed. I wasn't supposed to work at the bar until Wednesday, but when Mike called to ask if I'd work, how could I say no?

The house is quiet, I hear Trevor's snores from the bottom of the stairs; one of these days my roof is gonna blow off the way that man snores! I laugh silently to myself at the thought.I peep in at the kids before going into my room. The boys are fast asleep and snuggled under the blankets. My little princess' bed is empty, I'm sure she's in our bed as usual.

The little c**k block doesn't sleep all night in her bed. I only allow it because I know one day I'll miss it.

She's snuggled into her dad on the bed. I try to be as silent as I can, I peel off my clothes and jump into the shower. I can't sleep unless I shower. Once the hot water hits my aching body I begin to relax. It's 3:10 a.m. by the time I slip into bed, my mind is racing with everything that's been going on. I drift off to sleep praying for a way out.