FED UP

The whole experience wore on me and I’m sure that’s why when that partner freaked out on me, instead of doing what I would normally do, which is, suck it up and move on, I got the hell out of there even without a plan.” I looked over at Ben. He was still focused on me; Listening to me. We had been great friends in college but I still couldn’t believe that I was confessing all of this to him. “Without a plan, man. That’s not like me,” I said, looking down at my beer. “Yeah, man but were you happy there?” He asked, always the rational person. “Hell no!” I grunted. Then you did yourself a favor. You’re out. Hopefully you can find a more fulfilling career path.” He took a long slug of his beer and then looked at the label again. “This is good stuff man. Thanks.” “Sure,” I said. I was glad that we had had the exchange. I had dumped my sorrows on him but he seemed glad to be there for me and it helped that I had his favorite beer available.Ben looked around the condo, walking through the living room, the dining room and the kitchen. “How many bedrooms?” “Two.” This place is really nice. I bet it cost you a pretty penny.” “Yeah, it’s great. My fiancée and I put it all together. Mostly her though. Look at the view.”

Ben walked over to the large picture window that spanned almost one entire wall. “Wow! This is awesome.” “I lost my fiancée but I got to keep this great place and the great stuff we put in it. It’s not exactly a great deal but it’s not too bad either.” “Have you heard from her since she left,” Ben asked, still staring out at the glimmering lights dotting the city for as far as they eye could see. “No. She cut me off just like that.” “We’ll you must have expected it. What you did was really foul. Have you called her?” “No way! I know what I did was wrong but we had years together. How could she let one indiscretion just throw that all away? She wouldn’t even listen to my defense. I think we could have gotten past it but she didn’t even listen. She’s so pissed that she hasn’t even claimed her half of all this stuff we bought together. It wasn’t cheap either. She insisted on Teak furniture, this high end white furniture, an antique bedroom set, customized window stuff. It’s what she was used to all her life. She’s always been surrounded by beautiful things. In a way I envy her. She went to all good schools, then college and graduate school with no loans and mommy and daddy right there ready to help whenever she so much as whimpered. People like her are always ahead of the game.”

Ben walked back over to the sofa from the window. He appeared to have shed some stress from taking in the breathtaking view. “Look. It happened and now it’s over. No use getting bitter over it.”After the talk I felt a little better. The little yellow pill opened my mind and the beer made me feel light. It was a perfect combination but I wished that I could function without either of them.