Late Again

Have you ever regretted a past decision? What if I choose the other road?Life hadn't turned out like I'd hoped. My dream of being a writer was at a dead end, the publishers keep rejecting every book I send them. Working a dead-end job doing the same thing every single day, the hate was growing at every moment. My wife was the one thing that kept me going, she was the best decision I ever made. However, that didn't stop me from thinking "what if", feeling guilty at the same time. It wasn't any different then any other day, besides it being my birthday. I doubt there is anything special about turning 30, I mean after age 21 your just getting older. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary; not in my wildest dreams would I think this was possible. So, here is my story.

"Sam, you almost ready? I want to be on time for work at least once this week." Yelling from the garage.

"Sorry, I had to fix my hair, it wasn't working with me." She smiled at me. Looking beautiful as always. He couldn't ever stay annoyed with her long, even if he was late to work.

"So, what did you get me for my birthday?" He asked with curiosity. "Turning thirty isn't exactly the same as turning twenty-one." She laughed.

"Well, you will have to wait and see." Her face lit up to the idea of him having to wait.

"You mean I can't see it right now?"

"No, it's one of those things that has to wait." As they got in to the car to leave the house. Sam, of course drove, she always did even though she was the first to be dropped off at her place of work. After a short drive to the diner, Sam, stepped out of the car and waited for, Austin, to come around to give her a hug and kiss goodbye. "Have a good day at work today, OK." Holding each other tight as they hugged and sharing a soft kiss. She began to walk away, but before she could get in the door of the diner, she stopped and turned around. "By the way, I have to stay late for, Rhonda, tonight so I'll be home pretty late,OK?" Waving to him and going inside before he could respond.

"But, it's my birthday." Whispering after she disappearing in the diner. "Well, today is off to a great. Guess, it's a TV dinner and a movie for my birthday tonight." Looking down before putting the car in drive and headed for work.

Arriving at work, pulling in to the parking space. Letting out a sigh, turning off the car, heading inside his office. Austin didn't have a bad job, he was an editor for the city's newspaper. It wasn't the best pay, but it was a way to keep up his creativity for writing. Sitting down at his desk noticing he had a mountain of paperwork to go through already. As he read through his first assignment of the day, his boss walked over to him with the look of death.

"Mr. Ames, is there a reason you were late, again?"

"Sorry, my wife and I have to share a car since our other one is in the shop." Avoiding eye contact. "It won't happen again."

"Well, I'm sorry to say, but that isn't an excuse. Everyone else seems to be able to get here on time. It better not happen again or else your outta here!"

"Yes, sir." he replied quietly. Watching him walk away and rolling his eyes. "This is another reason why I want to be a writer, no boss hassling you to be to work on time." Shaking his head he continued with his work.

Later that day around lunchtime, Carter came over to his desk in a bouncy mood. "Austin, happy birthday!" What did, Sam, get you?" He asked while taking a seat on top of his desk.

"She hasn't told me,yet. But, she has to work late tonight. So, looks like it's going to be just me at home tonight."

"Really, that sucks, man. Why does she have to work late?"

"She's covering for, Rhonda." Stacking his paperwork after looking them over.

"Oh, well do you want me to come by tonight?"

"If you want, it'd be nice to have company."

"Alright, if I don't have any big plans I will. By the way I got you an gift." Pulling an envelope from his back pocket. Watching, Austin, open it up, he couldn't help, but laugh.

"A gift card to Starbucks?" Arching his eyebrows.

"Yeah, Sam, used to joke that you used to hang out there and write poetry." He replied with sarcasm.

"Yeah, I remember that." Smiling as if he was having a flashback. "Thanks, buddy."

"Look, I better get back to work. See ya later."

"Later." Carter and Austin, had grown to become very close friends after him and, Sam, began dating. It wasn't an everyday friendship. Carter, was writer for the newspaper; however, he did some acting in commercials on the side. Not a bad setup. The three of them were inseparable, once they finished college. "Alright, just a few more things to edit, and I'm all done." Talking out loud.

Hope you enjoyed it. More coming...