Chapter 8: Self Discovery
That night was worse than the usual lonely, dull evening I have every night. I couldn't stop thinking about her. Every channel I flipped to on the tv I saw something that reminded me of Amy. Christmas lights outside, the radio on the way home, even my boring nasty frozen pizza. I needed to clear my head.
I took the rest of the week off. I called and left a voicemail for my boss at work and told him I had some family issues come up and I needed the rest of the week off. I had enough PTO banked up to take nearly 6 months off, what's 4 days? The next day I was startled awake by my phone ringing. 'Fuck, it's my boss,' I said out loud. "Hello," I said. "Jeff? Is everything ok? I got your voicemail and got worried. You never take time off. So of course, when you said there were some family issues I became concerned," he said. "Yeah, yes, I'm fine. Everything is fine. There's just some things I need to take care of from my mother's death. I know it's been several months, but they were my responsibility and I completely spaced it, I need to take care of it before the end of the year," I said, rubbing my eyes and forehead trying to wake up a bit. "Ok, yeah, of course. Take however long you need. You're my best IT guy and I can't afford to lose you or your work become sloppy. Just keep me in the loop, please," he assured me. "Absolutely, John. I'll be back Monday, latest. It shouldn't take long, but I'll keep you informed," I said, wanting to get off the damn phone and go back to sleep, even though I knew I would just lay there staring at the ceiling thinking about Amy. "Sounds good. Thank you, Jeff. Talk to you later," John said, then he hung up the phone.
I tossed my phone onto the coffee table and looked at my cat, who was telling me it's my fault he missed breakfast. "Ok, ok, come on," I said, getting up and walking to the kitchen to get coffee and feed him.I stood there, in the kitchen, watching the coffee drip slowly out of the coffeemaker, zoning out. I need some music. Maybe that will take my mind off Amy. "Alexa, play Led Zeppelin on Spotify," I said. "Thank you" came on. "If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me. Kind woman, I give you my all, Kind woman, nothing more..." Robert Plant sang." Sorry Rob, I can't listen to you right now," I said out loud. "Alexa, play Opeth Ghost Reveries on Spotify," I said. "I hear the baying of the hoooounds, in the distance. I hear them devouriiiing, Pest ridden jackals of the earth, Diabolical beasts and roaming the forests," came out of Alexa. 'Fuck yeah. This is it. Now, let's get this day started differently,' I thought, nodding my head to the beat.
I decided at that point I was going to look at life differently. It had been 2 years since I found out my ex-fiancΓ© had cheated on me with her ex-boyfriend. 'Why am I reliving that every day?' I thought to myself as I stepped in the shower. It was ridiculous. I put myself through hell by putting up impenetrable walls and not letting anyone in. "I'm going to take a trip. Maybe go up into the mountains and camp the rest of the week? I think that will do the trick. I need to clear my head somehow though," I said while looking at myself in the mirror. I watched myself smile, thinking about the endless possibilities. I don't remember the last time I smiled. It felt good. I packed a bag and went to my garage for my camping gear and loaded it up in my car. I was excited. A vacation, finally!
On my drive out of town, I turned the music up so loud the car next to me at the stoplight could hear it. I didn't care. I was finally getting over my past ruined relationship. Amy was still at the forefront of my mind, but at that moment she took a backseat to my plans. Suddenly my phone rang. I looked to see who it was and if I even wanted to talk to them. It was Greg.
"Greg! What's up?" I said.
"Jeff? You sound different. You sound happy. Did you get a different job, finally?" he asked.
"No, I'm actually taking the rest of the week off and heading out of town. I don't know where yet. I just need a break. I've worked non-stop the last 3 years and am burnt out. I need a recharge," I said.
"Oh, ok. Well, be careful. You're my only brother and I love you. Let me know where you're at whenever you figure it out. No, I won't keep tabs on you and I'll tell Mindy not to either," Greg said.
"I will. So, what's up? Did you need something?" I asked.
"Oh, uh, no. I was actually just calling to chat. Hey, I'm sorry I was drunk on Christmas. I rarely drink anymore, so that whiskey hit me hard. If I made an ass out of myself and embarrassed you, I want to apologize," he said.
"You were pretty intoxicated, but I don't think you were drunk. You weren't' slurring your words or stumbling so there's no need to apologize for anything. Besides, it was Christmas. Can I ask you a question?" I said.
"Anything. What's up?" Greg said, sounding a tad apprehensive of my question.
"What do you remember from that night before Amy & I left?" I asked.