The truck ran perfectly, and Mary got better at managing her finances. She picked up two more cleaning jobs, which was the maximum she could fit into the week. Debbie, who’d loaned her the car, also suggested that a slight raise in her hourly rate would provide her with more money. Mary was hesitant to do that, for fear of losing customers. “You just tell them that I raised you two dollars an hour and they’ll be ashamed not to follow suit,” Debbie said firmly. “What if they let me go?” Mary worried. “You’ve come a long way in a short time,” Debbie said. “You’re much more confident, more poised, and you’re a whiz at organization. I’m amazed at the change in you.” “I’ve changed?” Mary asked hesitantly. “You’ve taken charge of your own life, and the lives of your children. You’ve organized a food rescue program to benefit needy people, you’ve kept the children in school and up with their homework, you’ve found a decent place to live and you’re on your way to financial independence.”
