Chapter 9 After Gabriel's troubles, my life actually became more peaceful. བ ཇ་རྗེའུ་རྗེ་ ྂ Business at the little shop kept getting better, and combined with the court ordered child support, my baby and I were basically worry-free. Of course Gabriel stopped paying once he lost his job, but we were managing just fine without him. The village accountant often came by the shop to chat, and we gradually got to know each other well. She suggested I get an accounting certificate. "You're so smart, accounting wouldn't be hard for you," she said. "There are lots of businesses in our town that need accountants, and the pay's decent too." I was tempted. Running the little shop could sustain us, but long-term I needed a stable career. So I started studying accounting on my own, reading books and doing practice problems under the lamp every night after the baby fell asleep. Aunt Martha volunteered to watch the shop so I could find time to attend training sessions in the county. Six months later, I got my basic accounting certificate. Just then the textile factory in town was hiring a finance assistant. I applied on a whim and surprisingly got accepted. The factory manager was a woman in her forties named Ms. Miller. After looking at my resume, she said: "Being a single mom isn't easy - I've been there too. I can tell you're reliable and hardworking." On my first day of work, I dropped my son off at the village daycare, then hopped on my used electric bike to head to work. My coworkers were all friendly and very supportive once they knew my situation. Especially Molly from accounting - she often volunteered to help with my workload so I could get off on time to pick up my son. After three months on the job, I received my first official paycheck - $2,800. Holding those crisp bills, tears almost fell from my eyes. This was clean money I'd earned through my own abilities, with no one's charity and no strings attached. That night, I bought my son new clothes and got myself a lipstick. Even though it was just a cheap $20 one from the drugstore, when I put it on, I felt like I was coming back to life. My child turned one and could say "mama" and toddle around. Every day after work, seeing him run toward me was the happiest thing in the world. One day at lunch, the manager called me in for a talk. "Elena, your work is very solid. I'd like to promote you to head accountant. Are you interested?" I could hardly believe my ears "Ms. Miller, I... can I handle it?" 'Of course you can." Ms. Miller smiled. "Skills aren't born, they're developed. Besides, I believe in you." After becoming head accountant, my salary went up to 4,500, and with the year-end bonus, I could make over 50,000 a year. I started planning to buy a small house in town to give my child a better environment to grow up in. That weekend, I took my son house hunting. The sales rep was very enthusiastic and showed us several floor plans. My child ran around the model unit laughing happily. I squatted down to hug him and said: "Sweetie, do you like it here? Mommy will work hard and buy us a new home, okay?" He kissed my cheek and said in his little voice "I love mommy." Tears instantly welled up in my eyes. Over this past year, I'd never once regretted leaving that cold household. Though my child and I only had each other, our life was full of hope and warmth. This was the life I wanted simple, clean, and full of love.