Rock And A Hard Place

I lost my job last month. I have looked but honestly the hours I am available are my issue. I have a daughter who is 5. My husband died at the hands of a drunk driver. I have money from his settlement. The money is not really enough to live out our lives, so I had a job.

My husband’s uncle calls me the other day and asks if I need money. I really do not know how me losing my job got to him but whatever. I told him I could use some money but I would not be able to pay it back anytime soon. I declined as I do not want to owe anyone anything. He quickly said we could barter - I could do things around his house or go grocery shopping or cleaning. He then offered more money to do other things.

I was between a rock and a hard place so I took him up on his offers. As I cleaned his house a few weeks ago, he told me to meet him in the bedroom. I ended up relieving him. I have been bartering with him since.

Ironically, my bartering has moved into the houses of four other single men. For now, they all have clean houses and well, they are much more ‘relaxed’. I am good too. I am not proud of it, but I am doing what is necessary.