Greg came by my desk this morning under the guise of saying hello, but he really came by to gloat— it was written all over his shit-eating grin.
He was named National Sales Executive over me.
Fuck him, I taught that little prick everything he knows.
He was only promoted over me because he's fucking our boss Kathy— it's the worst kept secret in the office.
The bastard has three kids at home, and he's over here telling his wife that has to "work late." Well congrats, your "hard work" paid off mother fucker. Shit, if I wanted to cheat on my wife, I could get promoted too.
Hell, maybe it's worth it— it's not like Ellen would notice I'm plowing another woman— she would sure as hell notice the extra 50k on my paychecks though.
Who am I kidding? I couldn't do that to Ellen. Despite everything, I still love her too much to embarrass her like that. I couldn't bear what it would do to her if it came out that I had been unfaithful. I just wish she would try a little harder. Not like makeup or lingerie or anything like that, although that would be cool— I just want her to reach out to connect with me a little bit more. It seems like every day that passes, we have less to talk about and that the space between us gets harder cross. It used to be that all I had to do was reach out my hand, and everything would be okay— but now it's different— it's not just her fault, the door is locked from both sides.
What am I supposed to tell her? That I'm going nowhere? That I've peaked, and there is nowhere to go but down? She deserves better than the life I'm capable of giving her. Every day that I walk through that door, I feel like such a goddamn failure. Ashley is still young enough to look up to me, but Conner is at that age where he can see me for what I am. I'm worried about him. He used to be my little buddy, but like his mother, he's so distant now. He's a good kid, though— he's just quiet.
Photo by Thomas Charters courtesy of Unsplash
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Garden of The Humbled Gods
General FictionThis story is not unique. It's honestly all too common. It's 2019 in Tampa, Florida. It's summertime, and it's hot. Jose was born in Xicoténcatl and came to this country looking for milk and honey. He loves his family more than Trump loves putting k...