The sky was already turning dark when I stepped out of the building that evening. The air carried that sharp, heavy cold that makes your breath visible the moment it leaves your lips.
My hands were numb even inside my gloves, and my legs ached after another long shift on my feet. All I wanted was to go home, warm up a quick dinner, help my kids with their homework, and collapse into bed.
I pulled my coat tighter around me and hurried toward my car. Life as a single mother didn’t leave much room for slowing down. Every minute mattered, every dollar mattered, every step felt carefully measured.