Oh boy, where do I even start? Here I am, flat on the floor, wide awake and trying to catch some z’s without a bed. And in my mind’s eye, there you are, all snug and grinning in your comfy bed, probably dreaming of me getting a front-row seat in hell. Can’t catch a wink, so might as well spill my guts, right?
Just last night, I got this bombshell – my paycheck’s getting slimmed down even more. All because I had a moment of honesty with my ex and told her to take a hike from my online space. And wouldn’t you just know it? Barely five days later, I’m hit with this notice.
They’re jacking up my usual $100 support payment to $200 a month. And get this – the “child” in question? She’s practically an adult, turning 19 this year. I was under the impression child support wrapped up at 18. But then, I come across this stat claiming a whopping 84% of deadbeat cases are just smoke and mirrors. It’s like the system’s rigged to work against us, doing squat for the kids it claims to protect.
I’ve only ever heard good things from my circle – folks who actually know me (unlike my ex). They all say I’m not a deadbeat. So what, are they all living in la-la land? I was led to believe my daughter was doing just fine, happy with her family. Had I known she was at risk because I couldn’t cough up a measly hundred bucks, I’d have done something – hit up the blood bank four times over, anything.
My ex claims she’s invited me to Wyoming. Truth is, even if she had, I’m over 2500 miles away. If scraping together child support was a stretch, how in the world was I supposed to afford a visit? Total BS.
Back when I was at Sikorsky, visiting was within the realm of possibility. I managed to knock down some debt, even had plans to tackle more, including those student loans. But then came the layoffs, and my bright idea to head home and start fresh. Well, that “fresh start” turned sour fast, and now I’m thinking of heading back to NY.
My take-home is $500 every two weeks. Rent alone eats up half, and the car payment’s not far behind at $400. Haven’t even factored in phone and insurance. It’s gotten to the point where my groceries are a credit card affair. So what’s the game plan? Head back to NY for a shot at redemption? Ditch the car and phone to stretch every penny? Or maybe take up extreme hiking, hoping for an accidental out?
Decisions, decisions. Is it back to the grind in the Big Apple, a fire sale on my life’s luxuries, or seeking thrill (and maybe an end) in the embrace of Mother Nature’s most unforgiving terrains? When life gives you lemons, they say make lemonade. But man, sometimes you just want to throw those lemons right back.
On this day in history, a stroll down memory lane
- 2002: Paul and Lucy in Glen Falls
- 2001: Work Study Sucks
- 2001: Quiet Embrace of Sorrow
Boneshakerbike 
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