Melissa Freitas attends Cedar Crest College. We are in the same writing and accounting classes together. Her face has a smile on it every time I see her. Melissa grew up and went to school in Erie, PA. She had many friends at that time and keeps in contact with one special friend from her school days. She was the oldest of 3 children and often was the built-in babysitter being responsible for looking after her two younger brothers.
At the age of 19, Melissa moved to Allentown with her boyfriend because he has family here. She gave birth to her son, now 6, at the age of 19. Although she feels she never developed a close open relationship wither her Mom or Dad, the family moved here the same year her son was born to be near them and offer her support. Having a child has matured Melissa in many ways.
It has been difficult for Melissa to meet people and make friends because she didn't grow up in the Allentown area. She has made a few friends but none that she would consider really close. All of her friends have children too and so they ten to hand out at McDonald's play place or Chuck e Cheese and talk while the children play. Melissa rarely watches TV and so there is no favorite television program. The Pittsburgh Steelers are her favorite football team.
Working at a well known drug store for four years, keeps Melissa busy, yet she finds the position boring and does not pay her good wages. She really doesn't like the job as it has become routine and she finds it boring. Co-workers and the Manager are flexible with her schedule with is very much appreciated.
Short-term goals for Melissa include completing accounting and writing classes. A long term goal is to earn a degree, establish a well paying career, buy a house for her and her son and open a cat rescue .
Melissa takes care of her 6 year old son, works a job and attend an accelerated degree program. Like most single Mothers, she carries the guilt that comes with juggling it all and trying to keep it all together.
Hi Patty-- It's really brave to share this w/ your friends and ask for critique! It's a good interview, but I didn't know until the very end that she is a single mom...there was no mention of her boyfriend or that they weren't together up in the paragraph where you mentioned him. The only other thing I can say is "Amen" because I too did the college and single mom thing! More power to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments and support Andrea. Looking back I think I purposely backed away from expanding on the single mom aspect of Melissa as it's a sensitve subject with her. Touching on this more in a respectful way may have painted a broader picture of who Melissa is and I will keep your comments in mind as I continue to write.
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