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Hello readers.
I do appreciate constructive comments, and I hope you enjoy. This is a two chapter story. Thank you for all those who made comments on my first story. I hope your constructive input is reflected in this story. Happy reading.
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After he returned from his trip, he could tell something was off. Things around their house felt different. He would say cold, but it was more of just ... spoiled. The sick sweet scent of something that was just starting to go bad.
John had been out of town on business before, and too often. Troubleshooting always went better when he was on site, despite the promises of the newest teleconferencing software. On the other hand, being on the other side of the country doesn't really help when explaining something over the phone to your wife.
"Babe, I'm sorry... Yes, I know I told you I would be able to come, but I am the only one they have... Actually, I really am. Jeff is at the hospital every 3 hours to see his twins, Will is out on the west coast with another customer, and all the sudden I am the only competent one left... I hate it too babe... All right, love you too. Give the kids a kiss for me. I'll see if I can get back earlier. The problem sometimes isn't as big as the customer makes it out to be. ..."
Only that time the problem seemed to be bigger. When he arrived at the facility earlier that week he had hoped to turn a three-day job into a two 15-hour-day job. The issue there was 40 hours of work. His face was bathed by the cold light of the phone for over a minute before he finally dialed. He hated being the bearer of bad news, especially to his wife.
Jennifer was optimistic when she answered.
"Hey Honey, how did it go today?"
"Not as well as I'd hoped."
"But you did get it finished up?"
"There was quite a bit more than I thought. You shoot down one problem just to find another. It seems like every damn seal in the place is either leaking or just about to."
He waited several seconds for her reply
"Dammit, you said you would be home for this."
"I thought I would. I know you aren't happy about this, but I'm not exactly thrilled either. I had hoped to be home now. "
"You too huh?"
He waited as the phone sat silent. He wasn't sure what to say.
"Are you still there?"
"Yeah, babe. Apparently, they went a little cheap on some stuff and are paying the price. This is our chance to nail them down as a customer. I have to make sure they know our stuff actually works, and our advice is actually right, unlike the jackasses here in town they were looking at. I'd really love to be home. I just don't feel like we can leave one our biggest customers hanging."
"You sure don't seem to care about leaving others hanging sometimes."
"Come on. You know I wish I could come back right now. I can take you out Saturday night when I get back."
There was another long pause before she replied. "I really wanted to show you off to my co-workers."
The silence turned into the quiet hum of a mediocre phone connection before she spoke again.
"I guess we are where we are."
"Yup"
The phone fell silent again. After a few seconds, she spoke. "Well, I've got to go. I love you."
"I love you too. Look, I'll. . ." A click cut him off. He clenched the phone, and slowly put it down. He took a couple of deep breaths.
For hell's sakes, he thought after getting ready for bed. They only reason he was out here working like a dog was so they could get a little ahead and finally be able to relax.
Their youngest had just gone back to school the year before, and Jennifer had gone to work as a paralegal. When she told him about the job she was giddy. It was only part time, but Jen finally felt like she could interact with adults again. Even though it didn't fit her economics degree perfectly, at least she felt like she was kind of using the four years she had spent at college. He was happy for her, but it always felt a bit strange to him. His mother had stayed at home and had seemed content, and it felt like a change to have her working. Times were changing, though, and he knew he would have to roll with them
John shook his head. He was still a little angry that she wasn't trying to be understanding when the whole reason he was out here was for her. Still, he knew who wasn't going to make their date. Part of him wanted to make sure she broke the silence, her understanding partially absolving him of his guilt. He was too much of an engineer to avoid seeing his own contribution to the conflict. He quickly sent a text, "I love you, babe."
A minute later a text chimed in. "Love you too. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
He smiled wearily, laid down, and went to sleep.
That Friday, things seemed to be going all his way. As he disassembled one of the seal housings, he noticed the bolts backed right out. The competitor had never torqued them down. For the first time in the week, he finally caught a break. He finished before two and was packed up by four.
"Damn, I'm glad they sent you. We would have been chasing that second leak for weeks," the owner said as he slapped him on the shoulder. "Let me know if you ever need a job".
John just smiled and shrugged, "Just keeping our best customers up, running, and happy."
It felt good to have some praise from Hank. He was one of their biggest accounts. As John packed up his equipment that evening, he smiled. A relaxing dinner, some time at the bar, and before he knew it he would be headed home. He had been able to move up his flight to early the next morning, but nothing was available for that night.
He called his wife after dinner.
"Getting ready to go?"
"Yes, I am just about there. Babysitter arrived early and so I thought I could show up on time for a change."
"Wow. Must be eager for the free booze."
