I had been feeling down in the dumps of late. My wife left without warning and headed to the east coast. The note she left me explained her reasons;
My Dear,
I don't really know what I can say to make this any easier for you or I. I have felt that things have just not been right between us and I have felt this way for some time. I know I should have talked to you about my feelings, but you would have talked me into staying. I can't. I don't feel alive anymore. I have surrendered so much of myself in our marriage, and I just can't do it anymore. I need to find the dreams I have forgotten and the self I have lost in you. I hope you can forgive me, but if you can't I'll understand.
Love Holly
I read the letter twice, sighed, and threw it in the trash. I knew something wasn't right, and I tried to talk with her. But I was constantly brushed off and lately shut out of her life. The distance between us grew into a gulf and though I still loved her I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I wasn't happy. Holly had been the love of my life and in some ways, still was. But we weren't happy and she had the resolve to leave, so I let her.
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It was late June and I was hibernating in the house. I'd leave for work, and pick up something to eat on the way home. Once there I'd drink a few beers, surf the channels, turn to porn, then sadly head to bed without rubbing one out. I wasn't sure if I had the desire anymore. I wanted to see beautiful women, hell even not so beautiful if they had the body to interest me. But Willy never seemed as if he wanted to be free anymore, so I never brought him out into the light. Instead I'd head to bed with a buzz. I'd wake each morning with a headache and burning eyes, drop some Visine, shower, and repeat the day prior.
Such was my life.
Until my Boss Jeff called.
I slowly walked through the kitchen and picked my cell up off the counter where I had left it to grab a beer upon returning home on a late thursday.
"Hello?"
"HI Dan. How are you doing?"
"Okay I guess, just popped the top on a Heiney."
"Good, Good," he said and let out a sigh, "Dan, I need a favor."
"Shoot, Jeff. I owe you, anything you need."
"Well, You know, we're shutting down for a month to retool the lines. And I thought I could give you a break from your current life for a bit," he paused.
I needed a break, "Continue," I said.
"Well, Susan wants us to take most of the down time and head to Fiji. However, she doesn't want to leave the house empty. With all of the remodeling we've done and all the of the many people coming and going, she feels, and so do I, that we might be better off having someone stay here. Soooo," he said looking for the lead in to ask, "What do you think of staying here. You could come and go as you please but we'd need you to stay here every night we're gone. I'll stock the poolside bar, And the fridge and freezer out by the new stone grill area. All you'll need is a swimsuit, and that'd be optional as well," he laughed.
What did I think? Hell yeah. I could use a month of me time, poolside, drinking, grilling and . . . "Yeah Jeff, no problem. I can help you out with that."
"Damn! I knew you'd be the man! And oh, don't say anything to Susan but I'll kick in a grand a week for your time."
"Jeff, you don't need to do that," I began to protest. After all we have been friends since high school and I'd introduced him to Susan, whom I had dated but never really was too interested in despite her wonderful to this day, physical beauty.
"Dan, I know. But you are doing me, well, us a huge favor. So It will have to be part of the deal."
I laughed, "Sure Jeff, it's a deal. You leaving any herbal remedies around as well?"
It was his turn to laugh now, "You know it bud. We're heading out tomorrow, can you be here tomorrow morning?"
I tipped up the beer I was drinking and finished before I answered, "Sure, around 9?"
"Can you make it 8 Dan? We have an early flight to Chicago and then to L.A. before heading over the Pacific. It's going to be a hell of a long flight."
"I'll be there."
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I made the drive to northeastern outskirts of our city and into the lush rolling hills and woods that had just begun to be developed. I entered the gated community they had bought their latest home in and buzzed the gatehouse. A small, lean man with an intense look approached the car.
"Dan Wilton," I said, "I am here to house sit for the Andersons for the next month."
"Sure, you were added to the list this morning. Though with this being a gated community I am not sure why they felt they needed you?"
"Well possibly because the security feels it is too safe as it is now," I smirked, not sure if it was the right thing to say, or if he even deserved it, but it felt right.