The Art of the Hustle 2 (Complete)

Chapter Sixteen

Trevor was slowly recovering and feeling better every day. Going for long walks was therapeutic. Now with his beard and long hair, he regained some of his anonymity. He could walk down the streets, cruise through the mall, and ride the SkyTrain without anyone paying him the slightest attention. Had they known the famous billionaire prodigy was among them, then surely the experience would not nearly be as freeing.

The next time he ventured outside was the next day. As he was exiting the building, he saw the announcer kid hanging around outside the hotel waiting for him. They made eye contact and Trevor was unsure what would come of it.

"Here," the kid said, handing Trevor a gold watch.

Trevor hesitated a moment before accepting the watch and securing it to his wrist. "Thanks," he said. He wasn't interested in sticking around to chat with the kid, instead he carried on his way.

"Aren't you wondering why I gave you your watch back?" the kid called out.

"Nope. Don't care," Trevor said, continuing to walk.

By now, Trevor was about twenty feet away. Desperate to make some sort of connection, the kid shouted, "I know who you are!"

Trevor just ignored him and kept walking.

"I'm sorry to hear about your wife," the kid said.

This caused Trevor to stop dead in his tracks. He turned around and stormed back to the kid. For a second, the kid thought Trevor was going to punch him in the face. If he did, the kid would likely sue and be awarded a windfall settlement. Instead, Trevor got face to face with the young man and said, "You may know my name, but I assure you, you don't know me. You have no idea where I come from and what I'm capable of. Don't ever mention my wife again."

Trevor said his piece and then turned around and walked away.

"Look, I'm sorry man. I just wanted to talk to you. I'm Deon by the way, but you can call me 'Pryme Tyme'."

"I won't call you anything. I hope to never see you again," Trevor said, disappearing around the corner.

Trevor went on his routine nightly walk, this time heading through Gastown and the seedy Downtown Eastside, which resembled Skid Row. He used this time to reflect on his future and not dwell so much on the past. It was what his therapist had told him to do. Seeing folks who were down and out, struggling with substance abuse, mental health disorders, financial hardship, and other personal issues was eye opening.

Trevor had his own issues and being wealthy didn't absolve him from that. In some cases, having money exacerbated the situation and introduced a new set of challenges and stress.

Trevor saw the disenfranchised citizens of Vancouver and wondered how he could help. He recalled an interview one time where the interviewer asked him about his life goals.

'My goals are to have a long and happy marriage, raise wonderful children, and start a foundation that empowers underprivileged children and helps them realize their potential.'

Walking into the therapist's office, Trevor found his usual spot on the couch. He unraveled his scarf and took off his coat.

To start the session, Dr. Chang asked, "What's on your mind?"

Trevor took a moment before speaking.

"Before all this success, I used to be very poor and on the brink of being homeless," Trevor said. "One of the things I would do when I didn't have any money or a purpose was to go on long walks. I found it helpful to sort out my thoughts. I would go into a trancelike state of deep focus and contemplation. Next thing I knew, I was 10 kilometres away from my apartment. It was on one of those walks where I envisioned how I wanted my life to turn out. I decided to go to school and become a lawyer. That obviously wasn't the path I ended up taking, but that choice eventually lead me to where I am now."

Recognizing that Trevor was still in mid thought, Dr. Chang remained silent and allowed him to continue.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, we cannot always foresee how our lives will turn out — how one choice can have such a large impact on your life. Our lives aren't always these straight linear paths that we can plan out in advance. Instead, they resemble more of a weaving, intersecting, sometimes back pedaling pattern.

"I've been going on these long walks as of late since the accident and seeing you for the last couple of months, but I'm not getting the answers I seek. It's as if everything has become meaningless. At times I feel I've lost the will to live."

Trevor bowed his head in defeat. He was in a troublesome place and didn't know how he was going to pull himself out of it.

"Have you ever heard the saying 'an idle mind is the devil's workshop'? You should find something to occupying your mind. I think it could be healthy for you."

"I'm not ready to go back to work."

"I didn't say it had to be work. It could be anything — nurturing a talent, a personal project, something you've always wanted to do, a side hustle if you will."

"I don't know what that could be. Work is all I know."

"Okay, let's try this another way. What scares you?" Dr. Chang asked.

Trevor took a moment to reflect on her question.

"Lack of freedom," he finally said.

"Why?"

"I've experience not having freedom. Having freedom is way better."

"What does freedom mean to you?"

"Freedom means having the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Not having to answer to people. Having the time and resources to pursue your passions and create new opportunities."

"Aside from work, what are you passionate about?"

Again, Trevor took a moment to think.

"I used to want to help people."

"You don't want to help people anymore?"

"I do, I just... I can barely help myself."

"What if helping others is a way you could help yourself?"