Chapter 6

A Chapter by soliloquy

Travis gets even more bad news.

Early the next morning,though I'm tired and sore I realizes I need to go back to my former home and at least get some clothes and a few other items before I can leave there for good. I'm not looking forward to this to say the least. I was in love with Andrea. I still am, and I am still in shock at coming home and seeing her with another man in what was our home.

I have felt guilty for the past few months since I have often thought of being with other women. I've thought about having affairs since my sex life with Andrea had become so scarce. But I never actually acted on those thoughts. I had been loyal and committed to my relationship with Andrea,and my growing bond with Taylor. But seeing Andrea with another man sexually on our couch ends this relationship for good for me. I'm humiliated. I never thought Andrea was the type to just sleep with other guys without at least giving off some clue that things might be heading that direction.

While driving and getting closer to my former home I think to myself, The funny part is that Andrea is probably wondering where I've been all night. I"m suprised she never tried to call me on my cell. I have no missed calls!

I can’t help also but to think of poor Taylor. That little girl was the glue that kept me with Andrea as long as I was. Sometimes Taylor would say the sweetest things! She was like a daughter to me and I will never forget that. But what happens with that now? I will likely never see Taylor again and that might be the worst part of this mess.

Although I don't know where I will be staying tonight,I do know that I need to get my things and hopefully take a shower so that this day at least has some chance of not being another nightmare like yesterday was. It’s 6:30am now,and I hope this stop doesn’t turn into an emotional encounter. I need to get my things and get ready for work later this morning.

I finally arrive at the house and get out of the truck as quickly as possible. I don’t even bother to look to see if there is a car parked nearby,or if any lights are on at the house. I grab my keys and quickly open the door to the house. To my suprise no one is home. Wow! what a relief. I then go about my business of quickly grabbing as much of my stuff that I can fit into my full sized pickup. I have no intention of taking anything that is not mine. Most everything in the house belongs to Andrea anyway.

Forty five minutes later I'm showered and I'm starting to pull out of the driveway with my loaded pickup. As I am leaving Andrea pulls up in front of the house. Crap! Andrea is alone.

A five minute nerve wracking conversation with Andrea thankfully doesn’t get dramatic or emotional. Both Andrea and I are careful with what we say to each other,and both agree its time to move on. Andrea is surprisingly calm as she tells me that she was always concerned and bothered by my lack of actual affection toward her,and she felt the need to get back at me. Her current boyfriend wants and is willing to give her more.

Andrea explained to me that Taylor had spent the night with Andrea’s mother and is doing fine. I only told her that I hope to be able to somehow maintain some contact with Taylor and Andrea agreed that that is certainly possible. I realize with some surprise that I will actually miss Taylor more than Andrea.

I pull out of the driveway and away from Andrea feeling better about things. I know I will miss Andrea and I'm still hurting over this breakup,but I am happy things ended cordially.

The next few days at work are actually soothing for me. I am happy to be busy and at work. I actually hate to leave work at the end of my shift. I'm surprised that no one at work seems to know anything about the future of the company. I think,Am I the only employee who knows anything? I have not said a word to anyone at work hoping that the news turns out to only be an empty rumor.

First thing Thursday morning I am called in to Rick’s office with another man standing there in the office as well. Rick introduces the man to be one of the new owners of the company. My heart sinks as the two men mutually explain to me that my job is being eliminated. I will be done working for the company in another two weeks and will be given a severance paycheck!

Rick tries to put everything together by saying, “I know this is another tough kick in the nuts for you Travis,but your position will be the first one to be eliminated.”

I feel a strong wave of anger come over me as I stand up and says to both men, "F**k both of you. I'm out of here." I then push the office door open firmly and storm out of the plant for what will be the last time. I feel my eyes fill with tears and my breathing increase as I walk quickly to the parking lot.

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