Chapter 1: Summer of ‘15

There was a time in my life I reflect back on and it took place in summer of 2015. It was around later July of that year, I had a lot going on. I turned 18 years old back in May, and got my first job working at Burlington Coat Factory shortly after graduation. I specifically remember being overwhelmed with emotions due to graduating and prepping for my first year of college. I was in a dedicated relationship at the time - it was rough and rocky, had its ups and downs, but committed nonetheless.

During this time, the relationship was walking on eggshells. It was not uncommon for me to be working 8-10 hour shifts and my boyfriend at the time, Edgar, would send me multiple text messages during my shift It was too much for me - he always had something that “needed to be talked about,” while I was on the clock. If I didn’t reply immediately, he would blow my phone with angry text messages. He would be upset about me not replying right away, which was annoying because I just did not have time while working. For whatever reason, he could not comprehend that.