Journey of a Lifetime

Fucking Valentines Day

"Have you got any new stuff?" Joe asks with an acoustic guitar in hand as we sit in the basement, the Jovi Nightmare sign flashing above his head.

I have situated myself on the floor, laying at his feet, my journal covering my eyes. It was late on a Sunday night, the weekend before Valentines Day. Adam was at a house show one state over. It was nice to know he wasn't too far away.

"No, just doodles and random one liners." I answer, drawing a cartoon figure in the corner of the page.

"Doing anything nice for Valentines?"

"I'm working, so no. Adam wants to do something since he'll be home, and then he's at work again by the weekend. You?"

"Just dinner at home. Bit hard to do special nights out with a toddler."

"You know I can babysit."

Joe laughs at the notion. "No, no. Thanks, but no. You will turn my angel into a demon."

"My life has settled down since we first met. I'm not the same lucifer you knew, who was a fallen angel."

"I'll think about it. Hand me the journal." Joe says, beckoning for the worn leather book. Flipping through the pages, he sighs, looking for any inspiration.

"I did say, at the moment it's just random one liners."

"What about this one? Trying to cover up the damage, pat out the bruises, didn't know I had it so didn't care that I had to lose it. What's that about?"

"Abuse and abortion." I say in a matter of fact manner.

"Oh, fuck. Okay. That was with."

"Yes, with Davey, who's dead by the way. He finally bit the bullet, as they say. I'm not ready to make it into a full song, Joe. I'm still processing the fact he was here recently."

"We shall save that one for later. I like the One That Got Away. It's a fun story." Joe mumbles with a lump in his throat, passing the journal back, before leaning back in the chair, strumming the guitar softly.

Subject: Valentines Day Schedule

Good morning,

As we know, Valentines Day is this week. In the past, all staff members, from consultants to team leaders and cooperate managers are expected to be available the full week including working late on the day itself.

This has caused stress for consultants and team leaders, putting personal stress on relationships, in a workplace that is expected to know love, when we are unable to experience this.

Henceforth, the Valentines week will consist of normal office hours, and a half day on Valentines Day. Leave blocking is also scrapped. Please enjoy your relaxed date nights.

Regards,

Copeland.

I was going to enjoy Valentines Day again, and I wanted to make sure they could as well. My phone rang within a minute of pressing send, and emails starting streaming in.

"Rebecca, hi." I answer with a deep sigh.

"This was all hands on deck, remember." she groans.

"Everyone will still work, but they will be happier. They will be rested, they will be productive and less stressed because their lives at home will be calmer. Trust me, Bec. And like I've said before, we are not an escort service, so why would we be servicing people still into the late hours on Valentines Day itself?"

"You are a nightmare."

"You hired me for a reason, Bec. You obviously didn't do a very good reference check if you didn't know that."