Rock Bottom

Setback

Alec put the car in park and turned off the engine. Now came the worst part: the waiting. The examiner rifled through her papers in the passenger seat while Alec's heart beat faster and faster. Had he passed? Was he a grown up now? Or had he just let his teacher down in the worst way? The seconds ticked by until finally she spoke.

"You didn't do too badly," the examiner said. "But unfortunately it isn't going to happen today."

All the tension left his body as he visually slumped. Alec tried not to let his disappointment show more than it already had as he lifted his shoulders and sat back up to listen to her critique his driving. He'd missed three shoulder checks, went forty through a school zone, and been flustered by a big logging truck which had led to his forgetting to stop at a stop sign.

"Keep practicing, and you can try again next time," the woman said. Alec couldn't remember her name.

"Thanks," Alec said numbly.

"Chin up," she smiled, cheerfully. "This isn't the end. Most people don't pass their first time."

Alec tried to smile, but it didn't feel right. She got out of the car and so did he. Alec went around and into the passenger seat as he waited for Jem to get back. Alec had used Jem's car to take the test, which meant Jem had to get a substitute teacher to take his classes for the morning. Remembering this made Alec feel even worse. So many people had tried to help him, and he'd still let them all down.

"You'll pass next time," Jem said with a smile as he got into the driver's seat. Alec hadn't said a word, but he suspected Jem could read the answer on his face.

"I suppose," Alec replied, trying and failing to be cheered up. He checked his phone again. No replies.

"I didn't pass my first time either," Jem told him. "In fact, I didn't even try to get my licence till my mid twenties, so you are ahead of the game."

It didn't feel like Alec was ahead of the game at all. It felt like he'd failed. Totally and completely failed.

The whole way home, Alec couldn't be cheered up. They arrived back home, and Alec got out of the car so that Jem could drive off to work at least half his shift. Once the car was far out of sight, Alec walked into the house and sat on the couch, staring blankly at the black tv screen. He didn't even feel like turning on his game console. Maybe Alec just wasn't cut out for adulting at all. Maybe it was a skill beyond his ken, and he should just be a mooch on Tessa's couch till the day he died. Because what else was he really good for?

Alec checked his phone again. No replies.

Throwing his phone at the chair in frustration, Alec threw himself on the couch and covered his face with his arm.

He must have fallen asleep, because when he woke up Jem and Tessa were home. He couldn't see them, but he knew they were here because of the blanket now covering him and the gentle clink of dishes in the kitchen. Retrieving his phone he saw that it was indeed dinner time. Getting up, Alec went to sit at the kitchen counter, perching himself on his usual bar stool.

"I'm sorry about your test, Alec," Tessa said. "But there is always next time. Don't beat yourself up about it." Alec didn't rely, though he was feeling slightly better after his nap.

Picking up his phone Alec checked again. No replies.

Alec ate his dinner in relative silence while he listened to Jem and Tessa talk about their days at work. Alec couldn't help thinking that he'd have to go to work tomorrow. Magnus hadn't been at a job site in ages, but Alec hoped he'd see him there.

The next morning Alec started the day by checking his phone. No replies. He was starting to worry. Trying not to think about it, Alec got ready for work.