hang in there maymie... i hope you dont think the job is what your life is all about in any way..

an absent manager sure makes it hard on the employees.. make some of the decisions he's not there to make for yourself? if he complains, that gives you a chance to point out his absenteeism forces you into the role of making decisions which rightfully belong to him...

try to imagine this may not be the only job you'll ever have and use it as an opportunity to learn as much as you can about the business now, so it is of value to you later if needed in a different job...

can you be creative and find some solutions to the routine problems? make standard operating procedures for things that occur regularly?

sounds like he is expecting you to manage it for him.. is the pay adequate for the level of responsibility that is present?.... you dont have to be pushed into harmful situations you dont agree with...