8.8 % Chapter 4 The next day , I started work as a kitchen helper at a local restaurant , beginning my new life of back - to - back shifts . When I got home that first night , I was so exhausted my eyelids kept drooping shut . There was no dinner left for me , and after searching through every cabinet , I couldn't even find any food . I had no choice but to eat the bread roll I'd set aside for tomorrow's breakfast before collapsing into bed . Half - asleep , I suddenly felt my blanket being yanked off as a shrill voice exploded in my ear . You worthless girl ! Look at what time it is and you're still sleeping like a damn pig ! Get up and go to work ! " As Darlene berated me , I groggily reached for my phone . It was only - the sun wasn't even up . I instantly felt a crushing wave of despair and frustration . " Mom , my shift doesn't start until eight . Even if I get up at seven , I'll have plenty of time . Why do I need to be SLAP ! up now ? " As soon as the words left my mouth , a harsh slap landed across my face . Darlene stood with her hands on her hips , seething with anger . " I start my housekeeping job at six and have to be at the market for fresh meat and vegetables before that . What makes you so special that you get to sleep until seven ? Get up and make breakfast for everyone ! " Seeing my pained expression , she finally looked satisfied , condescendingly looking down at me and speaking in a lecturing tone : " No pain , no gain . I'm only doing this for your own good - giving you an early taste of how hard real work is . This builds character . " I glanced at the broken door , then back at my mother who looked ready to strike again . Resigned to my fate , I dragged myself out of bed to make breakfast . After going hungry all night , I was already starving , but Darlene quickly scooped more than half of my oatmeal into Caleb's bowl . Caleb rubbed his sleepy eyes , somewhat complaining . " Mom , how am I supposed to finish all this ? " Yet Darlene pushed the bowl toward her son while shouting : " What do you mean you can't finish it ? You're starting your senior year soon - that's hard work ! You need to eat more to keep your strength up ! " I glanced at my bowl , now less than half full , and hurriedly shoveled what remained into my mouth . This tiny portion wasn't nearly enough to satisfy my hunger , but I had no choice except to head to work on an empty stomach . My workplace was two subway stops away , but without a single penny to my name , I had to walk . Even though my parents knew perfectly well they'd taken every cent from they pretended not to notice . me , After a full day of grueling work , despite the small free lunch the restaurant provided , I was absolutely famished by the time my shift ended . But over the next few days , I realized this was becoming my new normal . Every night I'd return home starving only to find no fresh food available for me , forcing me to eat their leftovers . In the summer heat , food left out of the refrigerator quickly spoiled . But when you're starving , you can't be picky . I'd wolf it down in a few bites , then rush to wash up and get to bed . After all , by 4:30 the next morning , Darlene would wake me up " for my own good " to make breakfast for the entire family . Between the intense physical work , constant hunger , and existing malnutrition , within two weeks I was dizzy and weak .