A Broken Story

3.1 The Tides Turn

Sunday came and the date went off without a hitch, though Andy's choice of slacks and a flannel jacket might have clashed with Jenna's short summer dress. The cheesy movie, the salty popcorn, and the even cheesier jokes on behalf of Andy and Jenna, it all seemed like a perfect date. The day ended with Andy dropping her off at her friend's house.

"Thank you for today, Andy." She stood in front the door, facing Andy and clutching her handbag, "I had a lot of fun. Sorry that kid behind us kept kicking your seat, though."

Andy was rubbing his back, "Yeah, don't worry about it." He stretched his back, "Not your fault but my back is hating me right now."

"Awh poor baby." She walked up to him and pressed her hand on his chest, "Why don't you come inside and I'll massage that right out of you." Her face inches from his and her breathe hot.

"Uhm." He tried to come up with words but any that he could think of were all stuck in his throat. 'God, why can't I say anything?!' He berated himself in his head.

"Gotcha." She giggled and stepped away from him a bit, "You are adorable when you're flustered." She reached out and touched his face, "Not today but I still had a wonderful time on our date." She tip toed and kissed him lightly, "I'd love to go on another one."

He leaned into the kiss and lingered there for a bit, "Yeah, me too. So, how about we go out again next week? My treat this time."

"Alright, I'd like that." He replied as she walked away towards the house, "Goodnight, Jenna."

She opened the door, pausing for a moment before turning around, "Goodnight, Andy. Be safe getting home."

A long sigh escaped his mouth as he turned around and a smile formed on his face. He hummed to himself a love song that he used to dread for so long but have finally figured out the appeal as he made his way back home.

More dates passed as the weeks rolled by and things seem to only be getting better. There were even talks of them moving in together. All seemed well with the world, that is until one Monday morning when he was called up to his supervisor's office.

"You're letting me go?" Andy's eyes filled with confusion as he questioned his superior.

"Yes, don't make this any harder on me Andy." His boss, Terry, said with a sorrowful tone, "Clean up your desk and your severance pay will be in the mail soon.

"Why? You still haven't told me why you're firing me."

"It's not just you, the company's downsizing. I have to let go a bunch of people this week. I'm sorry. My hands are tied."

With a long sigh, "Alright, thanks for everything boss," he shuffled out of the room and to his cubicle. His head hanging low and his feet dragging behind him as he slowly put all of his stuff in a box and drove back home.

As soon as he walked pass the door, he set his box of stuff aside and sat down on his couch, letting his mind fill with thoughts like, "What am I going to do? Will I ever find another job? What about Jenna? Will she be disappointed? Worried? Oh god, would she even want to date a jobless bum?"

The stream of negativity was abruptly stopped by a knock on the door followed by it unlocking and opening, revealing Jenna with a large backpack on her back and two smaller ones she was carrying, "Hey, let's runaway together!" She exclaimed without even letting Andy get up from his seat. Seems like Andy's life is not getting any simpler any time soon.