How could things go so bad, so fast?

Well, just when I thought I was getting some traction, the world kicks my feet out from under me. I found out late last night that my mother is in much more serious financial trouble than I had ever guessed. She has apparently declared bankruptcy, without even talking to me about her situation. To make matters worse, I found out that my oh-so-understanding boss is telling a different story to others According to what I have heard, my immediate supervisor was asking about me coming to work in a skirt, and she told him that if I did, i would be asked to spend the day in the stockroom, out of sight. I would like to get some answers as to what the heck is going on.