Chapter 56: Chapter 56: VICTORIA-LYN

That first summer, I lied my way into a job at this nice little beachside restaurant. I'd been living on the streets for a few weeks but had learned how to keep myself clean in public restrooms.

I spent most days in the public library so I'd have some place to go, and had researched how to get my GED online. At night I'd find a spot somewhere out of the traffic of the city to bed down.

For some reason I felt freer on the streets than I had at home. I wasn't as afraid of being violated, but I knew I couldn't do it for too long before being found out.

I got that job and studied for my GED and at the end of the summer had a nice little nest egg. I got my GED much earlier than I would have if I'd stayed in school the next two years, and just when things were starting to look up, my world came crashing down again.