Brittle

Chapter 17

Over the next few years Liam devoted all of his free time to learning everything he could about vaping. He had quit hanging out with Jay and even stopped speaking to him altogether after Jay allowed his addiction to drugs and alcohol to ruin their friendship so he had plenty of free time when he wasn't working to spend in the vape shop. He studied the devices and how they worked and even spent most of his days in one of the Howw Vape shops asking questions or just watching the guys that worked there. Liam particularly liked to hang out at the other store in town over the mall. Freddy was often really obnoxious and didn't really seem interested in teaching people if he didn't have to. Taz, however, was more calm and knowledgeable. He even made time between customers to sit down with Liam and teach him about building coils and working on devices.

Taz was the branch manager for the Howw Vape stores and for some reason or another he had befriended Liam even allowing him to hang out in his store for days at a time. It didn't take long for Liam to learn things from Taz. Maybe it was the way he explained things or maybe it was just his general attitude that made him a good teacher. Either way, Liam knew he had found what he wanted to do in life. He had applied to work for Howw Vape a few years before but Taz told him he needed to learn a lot more before he could.

Liam took that to heart and it was his main reason for spending so much time there. Aside from Taz being a good friend Liam could learn a lot better from Taz than anyone else and if wanted to work for Howw Vape what better place to learn than in one of their stores from their branch manager he thought. The more he hung out at the shop the closer Liam became to Taz and Taz's fiancee Kandice. Eventually, Liam felt like they were his best friends. To be honest, Everyone had abandoned Liam, They were his only friends.

Liam walked into work and handed his boss his uniform. "I'm sorry sir but I have to leave the company." His boss sighed and turned in his chair to look at Liam. "You're one of my best employees Liam and I would hate to see you go. Is there any way we can fix this?" Liam wanted to stay but he couldn't. A manager position had opened up and his boss promised it to him but when the time came he hired someone outside the company to take it instead.

Liam understood that and didn't let it bother him too much but then once an assistant manager position opened and Liam was promised that spot was his for sure and his boss again gave the position to someone else Liam was very upset. He had poured his time into that company and even volunteered to work every shift they needed him for. Even on his days off when someone else would call in sick Liam made it a point to show up and cover the shift. How could they not give him the position after promising him that it was his?

Liam shook his head. "I'm sorry sir but I have to think about my future and working in a company with no opportunity for advancement isn't where I see myself in ten years." It was a rule, Liam might not have had a good relationship with his father but he did take one piece of advice to heart. If you're going to work anywhere ask yourself if you see yourself there in ten years. If the answer is no don't bother wasting your time.

His boss nodded his head. "I understand where you're coming from. I want you to know that I respect you very much Liam and although you have to leave please know that if you ever need a reference I would be happy to give you one." Liam smiled and shook his boss' hand. "Thank you sir." He waved goodbye then walked out to his car. His boss had taken the news well and Liam felt relieved it worked out.

When he got home he told Mindy the news and she shook her head. "You would quit there when you know damn good and well you're the only one keeping us going." Liam sighed. "Listen tomorrow I'll be going out to look for work again, I got a good reference so it will be fine." Mindy rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Liam and Mindy had been together for eight years and things were really falling apart between them. He was beginning to feel like she didn't care anymore and all she wanted to do was control him.