More in the gym at White Mills

I can’t believe I’m actually here. I am really sitting on the subway in New York City. My family doesn’t know where I am. I just got dressed two days ago, grabbed my purse, keys and all the money I could get together and I just drove away. Of course, once I got close to New York I had to sell my car. I was way too scared to even consider driving in to the city. I’ve never been to New York City before, but I’ve always heard the driving is torturous, so I didn’t want to risk it.

Why did I leave? Well, mostly because I just needed to get away. My family was suffocating me. I had the same mundane existence I’ve had for four years. I get up, get dressed, go to school, come home, do my homework, eat dinner then go to bed. The next day I would do it all over again. With college it was the same thing and I was going crazy. My dad calls me his little princess and my mom has always kept me at arm’s length. I can’t be who I want to be or do what I want to do. My major in college is nursing because that is what my mom thinks I would be good at. I hate nursing! I can’t stand the site of blood and I don’t want to see people hurting.

So, here I am, sitting in a subway on my second day in this great big city. I’m a little nervous, but who wouldn’t be? I am thinking about trying out for a play, or auditioning or whatever they call it. Maybe later. Right now I need to find a steady job, one that can help me pay the bills. I saw a help wanted sign in the window of a book store and that’s where I’m headed now. I’ve always loved reading. Getting away from my world, my existence, seemed to be my goal every day of my life.

I asked the lady behind the counter at the Bunches of Books store I just walked in to about her help wanted sign. It’s a cute little store, plenty of books, a children’s section with bean bag chairs and toys and a comfortable little coffee shop in the back.

The lady behind the counter asked if I have ever worked in a coffee shop. She is a nice looking lady, not a knockout, but attractive. She reminds me a lot of my mom.

Uh oh! I’ve never worked in a coffee shop, but I’m a fast learner. I’ve always loved reading. I’ve read everything from Dr. Seuss to Dostoyevsky. I explained this to the lady, hoping it would be enough. She must have taken pity on me because she hired me on the spot. She gave me the address to a school I would need to attend for two months. She said I would need to learn the art of being a barista.

One month later and I’m going to school and work, coming home, doing homework, having dinner and then going to bed. I can’t be who I want to be or do what I want to do.

Maybe it’s time to call mom and dad.

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All items posted here are ©2011 Dee Pavey or their author. To request reprinting rights contact Dee Pavey at pcmom@aol.com

We were at white mills at a Christian retreat for handicapped people. Our family volunteered as media, music and kitchen.

Laikyn has a dentist song!

The Sherman Minton bridge closure just made us take a different route to White Mills, Kentucky.