Revision. (The Re-Up)

Chapter Two: i

Chapter Two:

i

Four and a half days had passed since I submitted my story about the young man, and things were turning up. For one, I didn't have Zander on my back about work ethic and motivation because of how well the story was doing. Then at the coffee shop, the owner thanked me for my story and "spreading awareness around the community." He gave me a free coffee that morning.

I felt empowered. I felt happy for the first time in what felt like forever. Then I got a call, and being the debbie-downer that I am, assumed it was going to be bad news that breaks my streak. It was my best friend, Ben Crarie. Ben and I have been friends, as close as can be really, since as long as I can remember. He was the person I spent time with during the death of my sister. He was the person I got in trouble with my entire high school career. He was the platonic relationship that any person needs in their life, no matter what. That was the problem though, I had ignored him for a week and a half at least.

I was in my apartment, getting ready for work, when I got the call. I was happy to see his name on my cell, but I felt fraught with dread even still. Before I answered, I thought of the old woman-thing from days before; I had not thought of her since writing my story, but could still imagine her sagging face and cold fingers.

I took a deep breath, then exhaled a labored sigh. I answered the phone, "Hello, you've reached–"

"I know who I have reached," said Ben, agitated, "I have reached James Evander, the man who has been ignoring his best friend for two weeks!"

"A week and a half!" I protested.

"So you know, then, huh?"
"Look, man, I've just been down a bit lately."

"So down that you can write a top story in the daily Real Dice?"

"I-" I paused, and my breath ceased. He was right, Ben was right. I had been ignoring him and for no good reason.

"Not only that, but if you're feeling down, who better to contact than your best friend!?"

"I know, I know. Stupid of me-"

"Damn right stupid. Nevermind that, we're getting dinner–"

"No I can't, I have to–" Ben cut me off, but I was going to tell him I already had dinner arranged with Zander. He wanted to talk to me about something he had not disclosed, but was supposedly very important.

"And I already got a reservation."

"A reservation, for what?"

"We gotta celebrate, you got a huge story published! Meet me at Dina's for five-thirty!" He hung up.

He always got me with that. Any time he knew I was busy, he would hang up before I could give him an excuse not to go. All I could do was laugh to myself, and let Zander know I would not be able to make dinner with him. I then left my house, and jogged to the coffee shop, because I was already late from the phone call. I can multitask just fine, but distraction is something my mind is not safe from, especially when it comes to Ben.

When I finally made it to work, five minutes late, Zander said nothing about the time of my arrival. Instead he seemed to be occupied with an angry phone call, perhaps about the company, or with a publisher. At least, that's what it sounded like from the honking words I could make out with the barrier of glass wall between him and the rest of the office. An abrupt high pitched clang sounded when he slammed the handset of his phone down onto its charger. He kept a personal mobile phone, then one strictly for business purposes on his desk; that's what made me believe it was a company call the most, to my surprise however, it was not.

I was standing outside Zander's office, waiting for the door to swing wide open in red hot fury. Rather, a fuming boss is going to scream at me for my lateness. Instead, I heard a minuscule and sunken: "Come in."

I grabbed the door handle but it felt wrong. I felt like I was supposed to experience the wrath of Zander Chife, but I heard what sounded like a boy who was scolded by his Mother, and she used the word, "disappointed." I opened the door, lightly, hearing the petite grinding sounds of the metal of the door frame rubbing against the glass wall adjacent. "Everything okay, boss?" This was accompanied by a slight knock on the door.

"Hey, Evander, I gotta talk to you for a second." He said this quietly, followed by a sigh.

"What's up?" My voice sounded cheery, I was trying to ease the tension. But sometimes seriousness is what's needed, so I sat down in the chair in front of his desk properly, and made firm eye contact, erasing all of the smiling wrinkles from my face.

"I just got off the phone with the wife. You know how it is." He paused for a second, placing his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose and bowing his head slightly. "I am not going to be able to make dinner today. I'm sorry to cancel."

I was stoked, of course, because I would not have to let him down, but I felt a thicket of guilt in my stomach. I felt awful seeing my boss so grim, and gaining a copious amount of joy. But, it had nothing to do with his misfortune, and everything to do with the boulder that was lifted off of my back about dinner.

"Don't worry about it," I said casually, then added: "Sir."

Zander gave a subtle grin, almost like he was fighting the urge to gush tears. He then nodded, and told me I could be on my way, and stern. Maybe to find his dominance, or reassure my coworkers he was hanging on. Even if it was just by a thread.

I left Zander's office and sat back at my desk, easing the chair back to get comfortable.

"What's got you so uppity?"

I glared upwards and saw Clark standing above me. "None of your business, Clarence."

He scoffed, and I didn't hear a peep from him the rest of my day. I went on, working, and relaxing in my chair every now-and-then, letting the fact that I ignored Ben for a week and a half sink in and authorizing the guilt to have some potency. I felt bad, to say the least, but not too bad, he brought it upon himself.

You see, two weeks prior, Ben and I were out and having our usual once a night dinner, just to make sure we don't lose touch; thankfully we still haven't. The entire night, we had the same waitress, which is typical for when someone goes to a restaurant, but nearing the end her shift ended unexpectedly. Then out came a familiar face to wait at our table, more bringing the check than waiting, but I digress. The familiar face–the soft, comforting face–just so happened to be my ex girlfriend. Audrey. Audrey Daysha, if you want to get formal. Her and I dated for three and a quarter years, expecting to get married. We had been friends all throughout high school, and decided to date during college because our schedules finally met one anothers; that being because I made mine match hers the best I could in my daily life.

I was in love with–still am–Audrey since I first met her freshman year. She was the girl next door, the brown hair brown eyed girl that any man dreamed of having in their arms. We experienced life together from then on, but that is a whole jumble of weeds I will get into later.

I made eye contact with Ben when she was walking towards our table, then looked at her–which was very sexy in her waitressing uniform I might add–then I looked back at Ben when she arrived and I saw his thick gremlin smirk. The one he gets when he knows he did something to piss someone off. The coined "I got away with something," look. Long story short, he set up the surprise meeting. Her and I broke up two months beforehand and I was not giving her the time of day after witnessing promiscuous intent and actions towards a group of flaunting frat boys. We had been having trouble some time before that interaction, but seeing how she acted sealed the deal. I was done. That is, until Ben reintroduced the two of us.

I don't blame him, I was being harsh and hotheaded. Not only that, but the three of us have been friends for ages, what felt like a millennia. He hated the change, and missed the way things used to be. I kind of did too.

My workday ended, which was slightly shorter than most. I was supposed to get done at three every day; if I got to work on time. The mundane get done at five cycle was not my thing. Getting done two hours earlier gave me time to clean up for a night out any day of the week.