In His Secret Life

Chapter 7-1

Chapter 7

Wednesday evening, nearing six P.M., and I was still at work. Wednesday.

But it wasn’t important that it was Wednesday. Not important at all. It was hump day and the weekend was coming up. I’d probably spend Friday with Elsie and Dayton—they wanted to take Fay out to dinner to celebrate the end of the school year—and Saturday, I’d go dancing with David and Kaliq.

There. I had plans.

I stifled a yawn and looked at my computer screen. I had a headache and the air in here was terrible. The cubicle: man’s cruelest invention. I stretched and looked around. Maybe I should quit today instead of waiting another six months. Not like I’d make a career here anyway. I had money. Money wasn’t a problem. And now that Dayton was in my sister’s life, I didn’t need to hoard my every penny.

But what would I do with my time?

The answer came to me as it did always, but I pushed it out of my mind. No, I wasn’t a writer. I was an avid reader who fantasized about writing. But reading a hundred books a year didn’t a writer make. Besides, I wouldn’t have the stamina for it. I’d give up before the first draft was written. And if I did manage to write a novel, I’d shoot myself when it came down to the edits. I’d crack.

This job was safe. This job was steady pay. What did writers live off anyway? They probably boiled their rejection slips and ate them with gravy.

My phone rang and I jumped. “Hello.” It was my sister. “What’s up? You’re okay, right?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because it’s Wednesday.”

“I’m aware of it.” I loosened my tie. My throat felt tight all of a sudden. “I’m not going to see him. And I wasn’t even thinking about him until you called.”

“Liar. Well anyway, for what it’s worth, I think you’re being remarkably sensible and mature.”

I shut my computer off. “I know, and thank you for being so level headed and supportive.” I poured the rest of my bottled water in the potted plant on my desk.

“You’re welcome.”

“I feel better. I’m glad we talked last night.” I slipped my tie off and shoved it in my bag. “Still at work?”

“I’m leaving now.”

“Yes, so am I.” I waved to a few nameless faces and exited the office. “Well, good night.”

“You’re going there right now, aren’t you?”

I stopped, looking around. My God, she was good.

“Allan, you’ll regret it.”

“Hey, my intentions are honorable.” At that moment, they were. “And he’s our future family, right?” I got into the elevator. “I’m just going to look at his drawings.”

The doors slid shut and I leaned up against the wall, too excited to stand.