Chapter 3:
The Sense of Adventure
Avery pushed open a white-painted door that lead to a bedroom which he dubbed his writing office. He stood, staring across from the entrance at his Dell Latitude laptop that was stationed on top of a large wooden cherry-oak colored desk. He begins to think of how minuscule this setup was, and how one day he will have an actual in-home office, not a converted bedroom to work from.
Although the converted bedroom wasn't his dream writing space, he truly appreciated the lower-end office as much as if it were his dream office, Some of the greatest writers created manuscripts in writing spaces that weren't as comfortable as the two cluttered stands that held his laptop as Avery wrote his first few manuscripts, serving as his makeshift writing desk, nor did they start with the setup he has now. The author knew that one day he would have his dream writing space, but for now, this will suffice. After all, it
His friend, Matt, walked up behind him and peered into the office along with him.
"Look at you," Matt said with a smile. "Looks like you got everything set up here."
"Yep, pretty much," Avery said with a smile as he clapped his friend hard on the back. "Thanks for the help. You sure made the job a hell of a lot easier."
"Just doin the best I can," Matt replied with a chuckle. "I just hope this move was worth it for you."
"Who you tellin," Avery walks further into his office, pulls the chair from underneath the desk, and gently sits down, turning the chair to face Matt who stood in the doorway. "I'm sure it will though. Like I told you on the way over here. It's gonna be a new change of scenery, new people, new life in general."
"Yeah, but won't you miss all of us?"
The question stumped the author. He stared at his friend, somewhat unsure how to answer. While he would miss everyone back at home, he was excited for the new adventure ahead of him, and he also truly valued the time alone, away from others that distracted him from his work.
"Sure," he conceded, although with no emotion in his voice. "You know I'll miss all of you guys; family and friends alike, but it's a small sacrifice that must be made."
"Does it though," Matt asked as he extended his arms out to place his hands on both sides of the doorway. "I get that everyone needs to explore the world and what-not, but you shouldn't have to tear yourself from your family and friends."
"You're absolutely right," Avery agreed. "But, this is what people don't understand... rather, they refuse to accept. In order to grow more as a person, you must step outside of your comfort zone. Since I'm an author, it's extremely crucial that I do this to not only get inspired, but place myself in a new area to learn about new people."
Matt looked confused, but Avery continued. "While I don't need to be away from friends and family, doing so will eliminate almost all my distractions. By coming to Springfield, I'm essentially killing two birds with one stone. I'm putting myself in a new and hopefully interesting area where my goal is to get inspired, but I'm also getting rid of you guys distracting me."
The author flashed a playful smile at his friend who stayed with his hands locked on both sides of the doorway as a frown crept onto his face. Matt's scrawny arms fell to his sides. His frown disappeared as he sighed.
"Avery," he said with a quiet, hushed tone as he slowly approached him. "Can't say I totally agree with you, but I do understand... at least, I understand enough." He extended his hand out to the author as he spoke. "I'm gonna miss ya man, but I wish you good luck."
"Thank you! That's all I can ask for." Avery accepts his friend's smaller hand and devours it in a powerful grip of his beefy hand and jostled it for three shakes. "I'll miss you too, but I'll make occasional trips home to see you all." He rises from his chair, still holding Matt's hand in his own, and pulled him close for a hug that ended with a slight back tap. "I know I got on ya earlier about how you're going about things, but I want you to know that it's for your own good. I want you to do better for yourself, and I'm gonna do my best to push you."
"Yeah, I know," Matt agreed. Avery begins to start walking out of the office, and directs Matt to follow. "And I'll try my best to do better, Avery." Matt smiles at his friend as he said, "Who knows, maybe you're a distraction to me."
The bigger man guffawed at Matt's assumption as they walked down the wooden-floored halls of the author's modest-sized home. "Yeah right," he said, still laughing. "you wish! Just because I can use that as an excuse, don't think you can too."
They continued laughing until they reached the exit. "Can't blame me for trying, right? But, either way, you weren't lying about me getting my shit together. After seeing your new place in person, I've really been thinking about trying to get one of my own, and I can't do it on a Dollar Tree Manager's salary."
"I hate to agree with you, but you're totally right. Just move on to something better. You're job isn't terrible, man, but you and I both know that you can do better. Don't just settle for something because it's easier."
"Yeah, you never did," Matt said as he opened the door and proceeded to the waiting truck outside in which Tom, Avery's mover friend, sat in the driver's seat. "Ya know, you really did inspire me today, and I do mean that."
"I didn't do anything but chew you out earlier, but hey, if that helps, I'm happy." Both men laugh and shook hands one more time. "But regardless, use that to better yourself. I hope to hear some good news the next time I see you in person."
"Shit, I hope to have some for you," Matt responded.
Suddenly, a booming voice shot from the truck as Tom said, "Hey ladies, you plannin' on kissing already so I can head back home."
"You sure would love that, wouldn't ya," Avery retorted as they all laughed. After quickly restating his well-wishes to Matthew, Avery once again said his goodbyes to both friends, and the two drifted down the road in the large moving truck in which Tom came.
As the loud sound of the engine of the moving truck dissipated, Avery took a moment to bask in his new surroundings. He absorbed the view of the luscious green lawn of his newly acquired property. He listened intently to the environment, but heard nothing but the sound of a soft summer breeze that blew with as much potency as a child's breath, as well as locusts flying about the vicinity of his home.
"Man, I love the burbs," the author said to himself with a smile. He walks back into his home, and softly closes the red-painted wooden door behind him.