The Changes We Make

Chapter One

I hung up on my Grandmother, apparently, she'd heard through the grapevine about Aaron and I splitting up. She'd called and before I knew it, I was committed to driving back home to spend a week with her. As she put it, "You know you need to get back this way more often. There's plenty of fish in the sea... One day, you'll find another, but don't let this one occupy so much of your time you forget about those who love you."

The week went fast. Before I knew it, I was packing on Thursday night so I didn't have to wait to hit the road.

After work, I began the drive home...seven hours of solitude and driving with occasional breaks for gas and restroom.

My first break came outside Gary. I pulled into a gas station and grabbed a bag of chips, a soda, and got everything I needed done. After that, the second came outside of Springfield, Illinois. Once again, I grabbed a drink, got the car fueled, and drove on to Hannibal.

When I got to Hannibal, I drove right to Grandma's. She was waiting up. I parked, and went in to be greeted with a big hug.

"How was your drive?"

"Long."

"You ought to move back here."

"The real estate market sucks now. What I bought for $82 grand isn't worth $20."

She frowned, "Are you stuck paying payments?"

"NO, it's paid for, but the bad part is that if I chose to rent it out, $200 a month of the payments would be to pay the property taxes."

"THAT MUCH!"

"Yeah, they're higher than hell."

"Jesus!"

I gave a nod, "Let's not discuss that. I'll just say that I've thought about moving back, but jobs would be where I'd have to make serious concessions. I'm making quite a bit more than they're willing to pay here."

"Really?"

I nodded, "They started me at $130 there. I'm now up to $175 and that's just after 4 years. Accepting just a third of that here would have me priced out of their price range."

"What about St. Louis?"

I scrunched my nose, "Sorry, but the thought of me moving or working in the murder capital of Missouri wouldn't be what I'd want to consider. I'd rather drive the 7 hours to get here!"

"What about flying?"

"The commuter airline doesn't fly out of Chicago. I'd have to drive three hours to Chicago and then fly to St. Louis. IF I don't get killed there, drive two hours up. By the time I'm done waiting, I'd have that same 7 hours completed and would be here driving."

"Oh!"

"I've even looked into flying from Grand Rapids.... It's the same, I'd have to fly to Chicago and then fly to St. Louis."

She shook her head, "Are you happy there?"

"I'm existing. I can't say I'm happy and I can't say I'm sad. I'm relieved to get the house and I'm glad I'm no longer putting my paycheck into his pursuit of his dreams. If I didn't have my other ways of making money, I'd be broke."

She asked, "Want some coffee?"

"No. If I drink coffee, I'll be up all night."

"I drink it instead of warm milk. The warmth gets me drowsy and I find I sleep better... I've got decaf if you want?"