Bill was burned out at 28 years old. He hated to admit it, but he was totally fried. He detested when friends and coworkers grumbled about working late nights or being exhausted from a day at the office, because Bill knew they were really bragging about their jobs and their work. Besides, they were rich men's problems, not gritty blue collar work. And so, at first, Bill called himself a pussy and yelled at his red-eyed reflection in the mirror in the morning, telling himself to suck it up. But mornings started to feel like a monumental effort just to lift the sheets to get himself out of bed. And some weekends he'd spend the entire morning just staring at the blank ceiling of his tiny condo, unable to get his limbs to move.
He finally admitted he had a problem, and it was ironic, really. He had worked very hard through college and a one year apprenticeship afterwards. He studied long hours and worked as a bus boy at a restaurant, and in those days he was happy. He had very little money but a good group of friends and lots of time to have fun. He had gotten a dream job at a very well respected trading firm, done very well, and then got a coveted position working commodities. It seemed like all his hard work had paid off, but suddenly he found himself with tons of money and very little time to enjoy it. Most of the weekend was spent reading for work and other research. His hours at the office started very early and the days were long. What finally snapped Bill out of his rut was the realization that he had acquired most of the material things he had thought he would ever want, and he had no time to enjoy them.
Bill finally approached his Human Resources department, and was surprised at how understanding they were of his proposal. The older lady with the sympathetic smile gave Bill a knowing look and said people in Bill's position often took sabbaticals from the firm. She insisted it be called a sabbatical and not a "leave of absence." HR would be much happier that way. Plus, she was sure he was going to come back, she informed him. Some people just rested and some took the trips around the world they had always wanted, but it was something to be expected from the hectic work of the firm.
Two weeks after deciding he needed to take a break, Bill found himself filling his small sedan with clothes and other random belongings, and pointing his car away from the coast. As he drove through the rolling hills and green valleys of the fertile farmland, Bill thought about how surprisingly easy it had been to find a spot that appealed to him. The cabin he had found and rented online seemed spacious and still cozy, with dark wood walls and ceilings, and a big fireplace. The biggest selling points had been the beautiful wrap around porch with views overlooking the surrounding farmland, and the high speed internet. Bill knew he needed a break, but he couldn't imagine not working at all. What he could happily imagine was himself sitting in a rocking chair on that porch, doing a little day trading online while soaking in the views of rural life. He smiled to himself as he drove steadily away from the coast, feeling relief at the uneventful three months of summer he was going to spend far from the hustle and bustle of his office. At least, that's what he thought was in store for him.
As Bill turned his car off the highway, he immediately caught the first glimpse of the tiny town he was going to call home for the next 14 weeks. The cozy hamlet was right off the interstate, a mere two hours from his condo, but it looked like a totally different world. The main street housed the main businesses of the town, which all served travelers on the interstate. There were three large gas stations, all of which offered diesel, and two of which included big, attached convenience stores for weary travelers looking for a snack or something to drink. There were three chain fast food restaurants and a big, friendly looking diner just past the gas stations. There was an auto mechanic and a Hilton Garden Inn. But other than four small trailer homes a bit further down the road, that was it for the town. This was otherwise farm country. Bill had read online that the children in the surrounding area gathered in town every morning to take a school bus 20 minutes down the interstate to the next exit, which is where the nearest elementary and high schools were located. The nearest bank and the nearest bar were also at that rest stop. The little town was small, lonely, and perfect for what Bill had wanted.
He drove up two small rises, less than a ten minute drive from the interstate. After passing through a thin stand of trees, the cabin came into view. When Bill parked and opened his car door, he was pleased that he had to strain to hear the traffic on the interstate below. In fact, he couldn't hear much of anything beyond the wind flowing through the fields behind him. It was perfect.
