Once, about two years ago, I did what I thought was right and answered the phone when a credit card company called me on my delinquency. I haven't done it since because of the experience I had that day. The man on the other end belittled me and treated me like I must have HAD the money, I was just not giving it to him. Instead of asking me when and how much I would be able to give them, he kept asking me how much I could give them now. Honestly? Because I was digging for change to put gas in my car at the time.

I am late on my Visa payment. Today they called and I answered, against instinct. The woman on the other end told me why she was calling and then said, "Honey, what happened?" And I instantly wanted to cry. I told her that I am a full time student with two jobs and her response, "Oh, girl, being a student is a full time job." I let her know when and how much I could give her and she told me that if I added $30 to that by a date about a week from now I could prevent a mark against my credit. Wow, not only is she not making me feel worthless, but she's trying to help me. Yes, in the end she gets more money, which Visa wants, but her karmic balance improves as well.

There is also something about the incredibly long (11 hr) Saturday shift I work each Saturday that makes me very sad. The last Saturday I worked I wanted to cry for approximately 6 hours. I only actually cried once when the girls in the back office didn't let me know they were ordering food, and I hadn't had breakfast. That day there was no one to replace me so I didn't get a break longer than 5 minutes or so. I cried for a bit until Casey called and went to bring me lunch. I got to eat about five. I sit alone at a desk all day, sometimes I feel really lonely and forgotten about. Eleven hours of that is not easy.

So here we go again. I'm only in hour two, and I'm already tearing up.