He got out of the car and decided to leave his box of office belongings in the back seat until he told her. He hadn’t discussed it with her. This hadn’t been planned. One day, maybe, but not yet.
Working for Dynacom had been a soul-sucking experience he had come to loathe more with every passing anniversary, but it had bought this house. The car too, and Jeremy’s braces and Kit’s college and on and on. But what had it cost him?
His sense of purpose. His joy. His humanity.
He tried to suppress his sudden foreboding.
Confidence is key.
I liked the downbeat nature of the probable outcome of his choices
Sometimes you need to shatter things to move forward, but at what cost? Thanks for reading.
Dear Josh,
Just kiss her, smile and say, “Guess what, honey…” Oh the life we sacrifice to earn a living. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Most of us need a day job to pay the bills, no matter how soul sucking it is.
Often, when someone learns that I have retired from what may be described as an “Interesting job”, they ask would I choose the same life all over again. I have seVeral smart ass answers that are received with varying degrees of annoyance. But the simple answer is “of course.” But not really, not in today’s caustic social environment. The real answer is “PGA school.” Selling lessons and golf hats to club members who make lots of money but likely hate their jobs and wish they could be selling lessons and golf hats.
True
Maybe she’ll be more understanding than he fears? Then again, she might value her comfortable lifestyle over his sanity! Has a real ring of truth to it Josh
Well, if the house is paid for and the teeth are straight and college attended and child moved on… maybe she is ready for a new adventure, too…
Aww I really felt for him. Hope she understands!
That’s painfully familiar. One day I’ll send that resignation letter…
A slave to the job. It sounds like most stuff has been paid for now, anyway.
I certainly felt that soul-sucking resentment in my younger years. I’m still working an 8-5 to pay the bills, because my true passions–art and writing–won’t. Perhaps it’s my age, but at this point in my life, I have no resentment. It is what it is, and I’m grateful to at least have something that will pay the bills. Also, I’m only a few years from retirement, when I can fill my soul to my heart’s content. :)
There will be consequences, but there always are when you opt out of your safe zone and venture into the creative. Nicely done.
Wow. A soul-sucking experience. Well done–you’ve created a sympathetic character.
Some days I can relate so much to this… some days I wish I could just leave my version of Dynacon
Some work to live, other live to work. Retirement isn’t all that satisfying, believe me!
Click to read my FriFic tale
If everything’s paid for she will probably understand and recognise he has to do what he’s done.
Great story – I think many can relate with the struggle between surviving financially and actually enjoying life. If we’re not happy, what’s the point, eh?
Good for him for getting out, but he might have been better off with an exit plan.
A wonderfully crafted slice of life.