A week off from school sent my spirits spiraling downward and I knew I needed one thing... some Dad-time. I hadn't seen my father in a year-and-a-half and figured I could use his perspective and encouragement. I called in some favors from coworkers from Harrah's for shifts I'd covered for them, and arranged four days off. The plan was to show up at Dad's door in Arkansas unannounced, let him recover from the shock of seeing me there, get roaring drunk with him one day, sober up and talk the next, watch the Super Bowl with him, then drive home with spirit renewed. It was going to be perfect.

Enter Setback Number One. The Audi was a little sluggish going up hills in fifth gear, so I dropped down to fourth during the trip. After driving eight hours it was about lunch time and I decided to make it a working lunch by stopping at Harrah's St. Louis Riverport, check out the lay of the land for one of the properties I booked. Pulling into the lot there, as soon as I shifted into reverse I heard a crunch. In neutral the engine sounded fine, but when I shifted into gear it sounded like someone had thrown a roll of quarters into a dryer. I knew the clutch plate was shattered. I also knew it would take a minimum of $600 to repair it.

I was stranded 300 miles away from anyone I knew. I called Dad to let him know of my planned visit and how disappointed I was not to complete it. I spent the night at Harrah's, and took the rest of my gas money for the trip and bought a train ticket to Mom's house. From there I caught a lift home to work.

It was the end of January, and now both cars were done for. In the financial crunch of no income from teaching, I haven't been able since to afford a car. Since that time, I walk two-and-a-half miles to work for Harrah's every day and am able to catch a ride home from a coworker after 11pm.

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