Spices (FIRST DRAFT) ~ An Alejandro and Alfred Story

𝓔𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽

I was still counting the days I was in Missouri, with no idea when I would be returning to New Orleans. It was day forty-five, and the company was going smoothly. No issues, major fluctuation in sales, disagreements, or short stock for car parts. Everything was as smooth as butter. I had begun settling back into a life of letting my workers and dealerships take the reins and sitting back, soaking in the fact that money is continuously pouring into my pocket each passing second.

Day fifty came quicker than expected, and I was itching to go home any minute. After a meeting with Ernie and a few other men from dealerships in nearby states discussing further expansion of the reach of Noeia cars, I called Millie to book me a train ride home within the next week.

I announced my departure the next day to my new friends, and although they were disappointed, they understood.

We all went out on the night of my fifty-second day in Jefferson City, saying I needed a proper Missouri goodbye. In the evening we saw a football game. Missouri won. We then settled into a pub across the street, and Ernie told interesting stories of his past. There wasn’t much hard partying that night, just the four of us enjoying each other's company, recalling fond memories of how we saved my drowning company.

“Aye, who’s idea was it to add a wider seat to Noeia, huh?” slurred Frank, almost dropping his beer mug.

Carl blew a raspberry. “I still think we should have done it. We could have fit a third person in the middle.”

“You kiddin’? It would barely fit on the road, you knucklehead,” he explained as he smacked Carl in the back of the head.

Ernie swayed in his seat, laughing uncontrollably. I was also struggling to breathe and had to hold him up so he wouldn’t drop to the floor.

Eventually, the bartenders stopped serving us, saying we were too drunk. Frank almost challenged a bartender to a fight to ‘prove who was more drunk’. We pulled him out of the pub before it was too late and took a two hour long walk around the city, which at the time seemed like a good idea, but considering we were four drunk men on the verge of vomiting, I regret it. At least we didn’t get arrested, and no one died.

Two days later, I visited the factory one last time to say goodbye. Frank hugged me so tightly that I was afraid my ribs would crack. Ernie and Carl drove me to the train station, and we each made a promise to keep in touch, whether it was to update each other on business or just chat. We took our time saying goodbye. As much as I wanted to go home, I would also miss my new friends. Life is difficult. You go somewhere against your will, wishing to go home each day, yet by the end you’ll miss that same place just as much as home.

Soon, we sadly parted ways, and the train ride was a blur. There was nothing for me to worry about or expect. I was just going home, or my second home, the one I’m living in right now, but it’s not my hometown. I’m confused. It’s just another place I’m staying at until things change again, and I move back to Kentucky. First, I leave Ernie, Carl, and Frank, then Alejandro, and then, who knows, maybe I’ll keep moving to other places, making relationships, and leaving them in the dust.

~~~

I stepped off the train and rubbed my eyes. Sleep wouldn’t come to me on the train, and I was beyond exhausted. I'm so tired that I believe I’m hearing voices. A little girl calls my name a few feet ahead of me. I blink a few times and watch her run toward me. Selena almost knocks me off my feet as she hugs my legs.

It takes me a few seconds to realise that Alejandro is here, too. Both of them are here.

I wince as I lower myself onto my asleep legs and properly embrace Selena. She’s already asking me about my trip and bombarding me with questions. I don’t hear any of it. I haven't seen Alejandro in almost two months.