16. The Hallway Rehearsals

In the mirror, on note cards, with my parents — preparing to walk into a world I wasn’t sure would want me.

The darkness of my depressive state lingered, but I refused to let it swallow me whole. Determined to erase the heartbroken expressions on my parents' faces, I built out a calendar countdown for my upcoming job interview and committed myself to preparing. The interview was two weeks away and as each day passed, I grew increasingly focused and increasing…