Until You

Anthony

"So you guys are really into each other, that's cool man!" Damion said on the other line. I said I wasn't going to talk to them. I said I wasn't going to get mixed in again. But my phone sat there with multiple calls, it was like a person who quit smoking, while a cigarette sat in front of them.

"Yea, man. I love her with all my heart." Literally!

"I get that. I just want you to know there is no hard feelings for us getting into it before." He paused, "I am happy for you man." I was happy that he was finally happy for me. "Listen, I don't want to part ways bro, if you don't want to do the gig I understand, but you'd be missing a lot of money." 

"Nah man, it's not worth it." But inside, I really wanted to do it! Maybe just one more time and maybe God will cover me. Besides, the income coming in for workers compensation was nothing compared to what I used to make on the job. My arm was starting to heal, and next week the cast was coming off. I really wanted to take Mindy out someplace nice, like up the mountains. We could camp out in a rented cabin and have a hell of a time. But all of that meant money. And I wasn't about to ask her for it, a real man made his own way for his woman.

"Like I said, I totally understand man!" We talked a few minutes and hung up. That was the hardest shit I've ever had to do. I did love them; they were my family for the longest time. I knew they were bad for me, and speaking to them would kill Mindy and I relationship. So was it really worth it? 

I slammed my good hand down. This shit was getting to me! I needed to get back to work and have a normal life. I got up from the table and left out. I got into my truck and decided to take a drive to clear my head. As I drove on I remembered I wanted to call Mike, and see if he was okay. I dialed his number. He answered, thank God!

"What's up?" He wasn't so pleased to hear from me. I wouldn't blame him.

"Hey man, I'm sorry about Lisa. If I had known-"

"Don't worry about it. It was her fault. I should have picked up on the signs." He sounded heartbroken. He really liked this girl. Fucking bitch!

"There are plenty of women out there! Just please, never meet one at a bar." I laughed at myself and he laughed too. It was great to hear him laugh. "Look man, I'm here, if you need to talk or want to hang out sometime."

"Same here, you know, with you relapsing and everything." Please don't remind me! I already felt a lot of guilt about that. 

"Talk to you later bro." And we both hung up. Good, that went well. I just hope Lisa stays away this time. She wasn't good for any of us.

I drove around for a while, even passed Mindy's shop. I was bored out of my mind and I needed to find things to occupy myself until I could go to work. Positive things! And that's when I saw the sign, House for Rent. This is awesome! Mindy and I had talked about getting a bigger place! But I didn't want to rent it, I wanted to own one of my own and we were preparing for that day.

I stopped the car and got out. Walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell. As I waited, I took in my surroundings. The place was nice. It had a nice swing on the front porch, the lake was not far away, even walking distance. The white house had nice blue shutters that Mindy would love. I wanted to move in today! Suddenly, an older lady answered the door.

"Hi, um, I saw the sign for renting the house." I could see by the way she looked at me that she though I wasn't the right person. Shit man, give me a chance!

"Come on in." She let me come in and I took in the place. A nice sized living room that we could cuddle up and watch movies. The kitchen on the opposite side, there was a door that I assumed was the basement. And right in the front was the stairs that led to the bedrooms.