Chapter 1
Evangeline POV
My eyes are glued to the television that I have been watching nonstop. I have actually watched television for a week straight with a tub of cookies-and-cream ice cream. I have been feeling anxious and depressed throughout the week.
Why?
I was fired from my job as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at an agency that I have been working at for eight years. I was a behavior interventionist at the beginning, until my supervisors motivated me to continue with my education. I was slightly hesitant since becoming a BCBA was a lot of responsibility and work, but I enjoy working within the special education field.
So I decided to go back for my master’s even though I didn’t have much money. The agency helped me with some of the costs. It took me two years and three tries to actually get my degree and pass my exam to become a BCBA.
Since I received my license, I got good pay, and my position in the agency got better. I was able to improve my financial stability, though I still had to pay my loans.
I believed that I was living the life until something happened.
The recession 2.0.
It’s what US economists called it.
If one thought that the recession in 2008 was bad, this type of recession is worse. More people than ever lost their jobs, but from what I have read was that people who have bitcoin and had money in the stock market also lost it all. It feels more like a depression rather than a recession.
Unfortunately, I fell victim to the effects of the economy. My supervisor, the one who motivated me to go back to school, take the exam, and put myself in debt, told me that I was let go- fired. I was hurt and shocked. I know the economy is in hell, but I was one of the BCBAs who stayed the longest. The agency didn’t have many BCBAs, and before the economy took a hit, my supervisor and I were trying to find people.
I didn’t understand why I was the one let go. My former supervisor was apologetic, stating that many of the insurance companies were struggling to keep up with the economy since they weren’t receiving payments from people and the government.
That was that.
Later that day, when I got fired, I got a call from Tammy, a great friend of mine who still works at the agency, who told me that a mid-tier supervisor got my position. I felt betrayed, and I understood that the reason why I was let go was that my supervisor didn’t want to pay me my actual salary and thought it was better to have someone who earns less do my work.
Knowing what type of person I was, Tammy pleaded that I didn’t call my supervisor. However, I made lots of sacrifices, and I needed an explanation. My calls and texts went unanswered; she blocked me. I needed revenge, and I left bad reviews on Google and anywhere I could find.
Thinking back on it now, I realize that I was just wasting my time. It wouldn’t have resolved anything. It was going to be a matter of time until the agency went downhill.
Now, I am still at home, anxious and depressed, since I still don’t have a job and the bills are piling up. I am lucky that I saved some money, but eventually it will slowly run out since I am still in debt and I have other bills to pay. I have tried applying to other jobs, but with the way that the economy is still heading, it is going to be impossible.
What would be the point in trying to search? What is the point of continuing to pay bills? Sometimes I wonder if the people will slowly have had enough of everything that is happening and will begin to protest against the government.
I sighed as I continued to watch television until I heard my phone vibrate. Picking it up, I received a text message from Tammy.
TAMMY:“Hey Eva! It feels like forever, and I was getting worried about ya. I was wondering if you wanted to meet for lunch. It will be on me, so don’t worry about it!”
Lunch, eh? I don’t like it when people pay for me, but with times like this and others’ offers. Well, why not? I am trying to save and think about how I can go on. Still, Tammy is older and has plans to retire, and I feel bad of takng advantage of such an offer.
However, Tammy still offered, and it would be nice to talk to a friend. Many of my other friends went incognito, probably because they’re going through the same predicament as many people are.
“Sure. Text me the place and time we should meet.”
A couple of seconds in, Tammy sent another text message. She already sent the location and time. Reading the text message, I knew where the restaurant was since Tammy and I went there a couple of times.
Well, I might as well get ready to go.
