Long Love

The Trip

*Beep beep beep * The clock reads 7:30 am.  "Not again" Roland groans hitting the snooze button of his alarm clock I have a big meeting at work at  9:30. I am in line for a promotion at work and I have an early morning meeting to attend but after last night's dinner service all I want to do is sleep the last thing I want to do is get out of bed. 

" I can spare 10 minutes rolling back over" When I try to turn back over and go back to sleep I hear a thud downstairs. I groan to myself as I flip off the covers and slip on my slippers to make my way downstairs to investigate. As I make my way downstairs I see a red suitcase. " Ben!" I say enthusiastically  running downstairs " How was your trip!?" "It was a trip," Ben says with a sigh "My plane got delayed in Florida and there was a toddler who would not stop crying on the plane" " bla bla bla " I reply you get to go to these exotic locations for work and only 50% is work" "you know what your right " Ben says locking the door behind him. "How was your week? " he asks stretching his hands behind his back. "You know it was good" I reply walking to the kitchen "Coffee? " I  ask." "I would love some" Ben says following me into the kitchen.  "Did you make the sell?" I said preparing the coffee. "Hell ya," Ben says holding up a band." "dang that much"
"Yup and that's just the tip they gave" "when did you get so good at real estate"

" about 15 months ago I just have a keen eye for it" "Yes you do, " I say hitting the on button to the coffee maker.  "ever since we graduated high school you finished up your realtor's license and got to work. I am proud of you. 'Thanks " Ben replied taking two red mugs from the shelf"

" but how was your week, did you get the promotion at Dandelions?" Ben asks prepping two cups of coffee and handing one to me. "no not yet" I sigh, 

I started working at Dandelions when I was 17 and now I am 22 I have worked my way up the ranks from busser to sou chef Dandelions started in 1946 as a small little sandwich shop and now it is one of the highest-end restaurants in Central Point Oregon.  I have been a line chef for about 2 years now and I'm in line to become a sou chef. which means I would own 15% of the restaurant and make 85,000 a year although I won't get any time to myself. but it's my dream to be a head chef at any restaurant. and this is a step in the right direction. Since I have been working at this restaurant for  5 years why should I quit and find a new job? 

"I have a meeting with them today, "I tell Ben taking a sip of my coffee "Well I hope you get the job I know how much it means to you " " Thanks Ben, so what did you do on your trip? what did you do? who did you do?' I say to Ben with a little wink  " shut up," he says shoving me a little bit. " you really should go on one of my work trips with me  you need a vacation."  "I would love to but I'm saving my time off request for my trip to India so I can meet my mother."  " Oh ya I remember you taking a 23 and me DNA kit you finally got the results back." better" I reply " I found her we found my mother " I watch as Ben's facile expression turns from A smile to a shocked expression. 

" yo- you found your MOTHER!"  " yes, I did" I reply taking a sip from my coffee. "That's why I am saving my vacation time so I can go see her." "you know I could probably sell a property in India, we can go together and it would be paid for," Ben says rubbing his fingers together.  "Thanks, Ben" pouring myself another cup of coffee  "It's a way for me to save money until I get my raise at work. if I get it. I say rolling my eyes. " You will get it you are an AMAZING chef. You cooked an entire Thanksgiving feast at THIRTEEN, BYE YOUR SELF." Ben takes a sip from his coffee and waves his hand around the kitchen "Look at this kitchen" My kitchen is a professional style kitchen with marble countertops and white painted oak cupboards, " you have had this kitchen built you love cooking you have a degree in cooking as well. I have no doubt that you will get the job. I believe in you, Roland."

"You're right," I say finishing my coffee. "I got this job secured." " What time is your meeting anyways," Ben asks " 9:30," I say leaning on the counter " 9;30?" Ben asks "It's already 8:37," He says looking at the clock. " 8:37!" I yell. " I'm going to be late " I drop my coffee cup in the sink and run upstairs I have time for a quick shower I think to myself ripping off my shirt and slamming open the bathroom door. shower, shave, dress, and drive to work I should be able to make it if I start right now I think to myself turning on some music to listen to. If I get this job then that means I can make a lot of my dreams come true where  Ben and I can get a bigger house.  Then I can buy my dream car and I will own a percentage of a restaurant. 

My life would almost be complete. I bet Carol would have been proud of me I mumble as the water from the shower runs down my head and back. Back when we were together. back when we talked about our future when we had a plan for our life. I let out a sigh turning off the shower and drying off with a towel that was in the past and there is no changing the past. I throw on my chef's coat and my watch that Ben had gotten me one year for Christmas. I run down Staris and out the door. " bye Ben " I yell as the door slams behind me. 

 I check my watch and see the time says 8:57. I have just enough time to get there as I start my car and start to back out everything rushes threw my head what happens if I don't get the job what happens if my mom doesn't want to meet me. I breathe in a big rush of air and let it out. As I turn onto the street Dandelions is on I see red and blue lights behind me " FUCK' I yell when I pull over to the side of the road "Just what" I start to say as the Sheriff cruiser passes by me so fast it can rip the paint off of my chevy malibu. oh, it's not for me. I finish my commute to Dandelions and park as I walk in I see the owner of Dandelions there with the GM and the head chef. I breathe in a big rush of breath and get ready for my meeting i check the clock and it says 9:25 i have 5 minutes till I have to go to the meeting i walk over to the bar and get water to wet my throat and to try and calm my nerves. I breathe in one more deep breath and walk into the meeting "Hello" I say standing at the door.