“It’s just.. this is it for me. I don’t want to go back to that dark place.” I stared at my shoe. It was easier than trying to figure out the mirror’s blank stare.

“You’ve experienced it before.” It was a leading statement and I decided to fall for it.

“Any time I’ve done everything I know how to do: gotten letters of recommendation, called the principal, subbed in the right schools, talked to teachers, crafted the perfect resumé, and it doesn’t work out.. I fall into a deep depression.”

“Knowing this, how have you prepared yourself for the possible rejection?”

“I have backup plans, but they are wimpy. The best one is to be an assistant again. But I know that we still barely get by on that. At least I don’t have to pay for daycare this time, and if I happen to assist at a closer school, I can be home earlier with the kids.”

“Good. What about your hobbies?”

“I’m trying to figure out how to combine them into something lucrative, but I haven’t succeeded.”