When I was in my early 20's, I lived in a Philadelphia neighborhood slowly undergoing gentrification. My tiny one-bedroom apartment had a large window that overlooked a brick-enclosed back yard. The little green yard in the middle of the city always made me feel special. The Philadelphia Museum of Art was in walking distance, another bonus. There were a few trendy restaurants and bars nearby. A park known for prostitution and drug trafficking was just a few blocks away.
At that time, I worked as a case manager helping foster children. My boss was a pervy, middle-aged man who hit on me, while telling me my skirts were too short. When I refused to go out with him, he became insulting and mean. My boyfriend was a slightly charming sociopath. He caused my father tremendous anxiety. He caused me a considerable amount of it too. Bad boys will do that. It comes with the territory.
