Before my conviction, I owned Buckeye Medical Supply, a medical equipment distribution business, and a comfortable home in Dublin, Ohio. I was also married to Trevor Mallory, a man I’d considered my closest friend.
When I walked out of prison, my possessions consisted of a small bag of clothing and seventy-five dollars in release money. My criminal conviction followed me whenever a prospective employer checked my background.
Trevor had assumed control of my company, while Monica handled its finances. My home carried a mortgage I’d never approved.
Neither answered my calls following my early release.
For nine days, I searched unsuccessfully for employment.
Three employers rejected me after discovering my incarceration. Another offered overnight office cleaning, but I lacked both a permanent address and the transportation money to accept.
Then, at a neighborhood grocery store in Worthington, I noticed a handwritten advertisement pinned to the bulletin board.
Live-in woman wanted to cook and keep house. Room, board, and $600 a week.
