9:18pm
I miss Mark.
I saw the thick 20-inch pipe in half.
I miss Mark so much.
I throw the two pipe pieces, weighing about fifty pounds each, into the dumbster just outside of the construction site.
Mark has been in the hospital since that night almost two weeks ago. Doctors put him in an induced coma so he can recover.
The house is so quiet and when I get home tonight from work, there's no one there to welcome me home.
"Jackson?" Jinyoung sees me staring off into space.
"Hey." I look at him. My eyes are lifeless.
"Damn man. You look terrible."
I nod my head and turn back to the dumpster filled with mechanical trash.
"Go home for the night." Jinyoung pats my shoulder.
"You've been here all day."
I can't just leave. I need the money.
Who will pay for Mark's hospital bill? Who will pay for the house's mortgage? Who will pay for the car insurance?
So many responsibilities and so many problems.
"I'm stuck, Jinyoung." I stare into the black night.
"Where are you stuck?"
"I'm stuck between my emotions and my reality. Both are pulling me apart."
"When the time comes, you'll be freed."
I turn to my black haired co-worker. He smiles at me grimly.
"You'll be freed." He repeats himself and walks away back into the factory.
At first, I'm confused. Then after some close thinking, I realize what he means.
It's true, I'll be freed but...I'll be freed into the darkest hole in my life.
I'll stay stuck for a bit longer.
So, Mark, hang in there.
Keep me stuck for longer.
