I pulled the threadbare blanket over myself and closed my eyes. The simple act of being in a space that was mine, however humble, brought an overwhelming sense of safety. I drifted off to sleep almost instantly, the first good night’s sleep I had in three long years.
***
To survive, I started looking for a job the next day. When I was sent to the mental hospital, I was in my third year of college and hadn't obtained my degree. Even if I had, my current condition would make it nearly impossible to find a decent job.
After a long search, I finally landed a job as a cashier at a hotel. The moment the female manager saw my leg, her face darkened with disdain.
"Who hired this cripple? Are we that desperate for staff?" she snapped.
The supervisor apologized profusely. "I'm sorry, I thought she had a good image and her leg injury didn't seem too severe, so I kept her."
"A good image doesn’t matter if she's a cripple. It ruins our hotel's reputation." The manager glanced at my face with obvious jealousy. "I think the cleaning department is more suitable for her."