Into the Unknown

Phillip Whitman - September 23, 2019

Diane told me yesterday she went to go see our daughter. After telling me how it went, she decided that it was a good idea to chew me out about how I never go and visit our girl anymore. All I could simply say was, "I haven't gotten the heart to go out there since what happened with Shelby." My wife responded with, "Well, Melissa's pretty heartbroken and I think she might be thinking you're avoiding her. Just go say hi. It'll do you both some good." Since that commotion, I've been debating whether to go today or not.

Already having been up since 4 am., I've had my early morning cup of joe. I'm reading the morning newspaper in my reclining chair, skimming through the very dry reports that Princelan has to deliver. The only thing that ever seems to make the headlines is whatever related information those police find with Shelby. Other than that, it's high school sports and houses that keep going up for sale. Seems as if nobody wants to live here anymore.

On the coffee table in front of me, my phone rings. But as slow as I am, I don't sit up in time and miss the phone call. Straining to reach for it, the name that pops up with a voicemail message is, luckily, James. I sigh happily, ready for whatever job he has me assigned for today. Playing the voicemail, he tells me something I wasn't expecting to hear:

"Hey, Phil. It's me, James. I was just calling to let you know that we're going to have to postpone our meeting until another time. Something wrong happened when one of my idiot scientists launched our most recent satellite yesterday, so I have to go out to the lab and discuss that with them.

I won't be back to the UK anytime soon, so just hold on. Luckily, my secretary was able to cancel the flight that I had scheduled for you today. Hopefully soon we'll be able to meet up.

Anyway, I hope you have a good day, and sorry if you thought you would be getting a more enjoyable phone call. We'll be in contact, though. I'll probably phone you back again within the next week or so. Things are super busy here, though, so I can't promise anything specific. Ahem, anyway, I'll say goodbye now and hope you receive this message."

All of a sudden, I start burning with frustration. He canceled our meeting? I was supposed to fly to the United States? An old person like me? I've never even purchased a passport before. How the hell would I have gotten there today? It doesn't matter anymore, anyway. I can't go today, even if I really wanted to.

Instead of letting the thoughts brew and boil in my brain, I decide to go for a little drive into town. Even though it's raining out, at least I have my Tesla who can do all the driving for me while I lay back and relax.

"Eh, maybe I'll go stop by and see Martin. Haven't seen that kid in a while." I grumble to myself.

I grab my raincoat from the coatrack by the door, slip it on over myself, and head out for the car.

Princelan doesn't seem to be very lively on rainy days, I'm discovering. Almost none of the businesses and shops are open, or even lit. Esme's is open though, full of customers stopping by and enjoying their breakfasts. I'll probably stop there on my way back home and grab a coffee, I think.

Luckily, Martin's shop is open for business. The neon OPEN sign is flashing, attempting to lure in potential customers that have car issues. Even though I'm not having vehicular troubles, he lets me pull into the garage nonetheless.

"How are you liking the new ride, Phil?" I hear Martin shout from his office at the back of the shop.

"It's a wonderful piece of art! Luckiest thing I'll ever get. Well, not counting the wife, anyway." I laugh at my own joke; which Diane would've gotten mad at me for if she were here right now. I can imagine it already. She'd roll her eyes and then scorn me by only her looks. Diane has a way with her facial expressions; it's one of her best weapons.