The 19-year-old single mother

I picked up a 19-year-old mother who was just getting off her overnight shift and she used the ride as somewhat of a therapy session, which happens often. During the ride home, she would go from laughing to crying, telling me what her life was like. She wants to be independent, but it is very hard. She lives in an apartment with her boyfriend, her son's father.

She told me how hard it was to pay the bills and how she doesn't know what her boyfriend does while she's at work and supposed to be keeping an eye on their son; she doesn't care so long as he contributes financially. She suspects he is cheating on her. She works nights because it pays better and she doesn't eat regularly as keeping the lights on and the health of her son is more important.

She has high hopes for the future though; going to school to get a better job, perhaps starting her own business. Her son is a prime motivator for her to excel in the future and I suspect she will be a great success in the not-to-distant future.

She doesn't see much of a future with her son's father though. She is struggling and though she wants to have the perfect little family, she doesn't see it happening in reality.