“She Kicked Me Out at 16 for Her New Kids — Years Later, She Showed Up Demanding College Money”

and applied for every job within walking distance. By week’s end, I had two positions: morning shifts at Cornerstone Coffee and weekend hours at Riverside Bookstore.

“You don’t need to do this,” David argued.

“I need to know I can stand on my own,” I insisted.

My routine became punishing: up at 4:30 AM for the coffee shop’s opening shift, then school continue reading …