I Worked at a Restaurant When My Boss Blamed Me for His Friend’s Failed Concert and Forced Me on Stage — So I Did What I Had to Do

Student loans piled up like dirty dishes in a busy kitchen. My mother passed away when I was 26, leaving me with a mountain of medical debt and a father who needed more care than he’d ever admit.

Dad had been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s two years after Mom died.

He tried to hide how bad it was getting, but I saw the way his hands shook when he thought I wasn’t looking. I saw him struggle with buttons that used to be easy.

He needed me, and I needed money.

Fast.

So, I traded my dreams of teaching music for serving burgers and fries. I told myself it was temporary, just until I could get my head above water.

But temporary has a way of becoming permanent when you’re drowning in bills.

Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t completely miserable.

I found joy in small things.

The way Mrs. Parker always left me a $5 tip, even when she only ordered coffee. The sound of Dad laughing at his favorite TV show when I got home from late shifts.

The satisfaction of balancing my budget each month and seeing that we could actually pay rent.

Life wasn’t perfect, but I was making it work.Continue reading…