Still not a single peep from Brad. Fine. That's just fine.
Stupid fucking asshole.
Okay … so, it's not fine. Why can't he just tell me where I went wrong? Was I too needy? Was he mad that I interrupted? Did he ever even give a shit about me? Was he tired of being secretive?
No. If that was true, he wouldn't have been screwing his assistant.
Part of me just wants to move on, but I also just can’t seem to let it go. What. Did. I. Do?
I don't even have the luxury of dwelling on it. I was given a small severance, not even enough to cover a month worth of bills. I’m also pretty sure it was actually just hush money. The way I see it, I have two options: One - I can find a job in the next day or two, and hopefully it pays enough to make rent in two weeks. Or two - I can give up the apartment and head back to my hometown until I can figure out my next move. I highly doubt I’ll be able to find a job in two days, but the idea of spending the winter in Twin Rivers is also depressing.There is just no winning here. I need my mother’s sagely advice.
I grab my cellphone, but when I call my mom, it goes straight to voicemail. Shit, my parents are probably on a plane right now. Well, that's a bust.
I pace my apartment while I think of what to do next. It's apigsty. I'm usually a lot cleaner but the remnants of my cliche, stay-in-bed heartbroken weekend are everywhere. Most of this stuff isn't even mine. The apartment came furnished, so other than my clothes and some kitchen stuff I really don't have anything here. Is moving home really the answer though?
It feels like I'm giving up.
But staying here could also be delaying the inevitable. It took me forever to get the job at CCB. Waiting tables won't pay the bills. I guess I could try stripping.
HA. No, I could not. I do not have the guts for that, never mind the right body type.
I sigh deeply and get to work packing up my mess of a life.
The journey home was surprisingly pleasant. You never really know what to expect when you drive in Northern Canada. In one town, the weather will be beautiful and then a half hour later you are driving through a snowstorm. I was very lucky that the weather was good and the roads weren't too slippery. Even though you don't technically have to in Van, I put winter tires on my car every year. I refuse to be one of those Vancouverite assholes who can't even drive down a straight road without sliding around in 4 millimetres of snow.
My mom called me back when I was about halfway. She and my dad offered to pay my next months rent so I could try and look for another job, but I had already given up the apartment. After having some driving time to think, I am pretty sure moving home is the right move for me right now. My mom had no issues with me staying at their place, reminding me where the spare key was, and told me to call if I needed anything.
I won't. Both my parents worked so hard, and they deserve this in their retirement. Plus, I am secretly glad they won't be there. I love them both to death, but I never even told them about Brad in the first place and I don't feel like being lectured about it.Mom was too busy having fun in Mexico to pester me too much about the particulars of my firing and I am grateful for that too. Plus, them being gone until spring gives me a deadline to get my shit together and get back out of Twin Rivers. I moved away for a reason, and I REFUSE to stay here longer than I have to.
I pull into the driveway of my parent’s place in the early evening. There was a fresh snowfall, but the driveway had already been cleared. My mom is probably paying the neighbour to maintain it for them or something while they were gone. Next time I talk to my mom I should tell her to let whoever know not to worry about it. Taking care of the snow removal was the least I could do for them letting me stay here.
I let myself in and grimace at the musty, old people smell. I do not know how my mom doesn't notice that. I'll do a deep clean while I'm here too, as a thank you. Honestly, she's lucky that this happened to me. I don’t think she was thinking much about what would happen to the house while her and dad were gone.
I grab my phone and drop my purse on the floor by the front door. I decide to rest a bit before unpacking my car and flop down on the couch to check for any notifications.
There’s a picture from my mom of her and dad on a beach. They look really happy and I decide I am only a little bit jealous. My mom and dad have been disgustingly in love for longer than I have been alive. I start internally debating the merits of re-activating my tinder profile while I'm here when a text message comes in from Kara, my now-ex coworker and kind-of friend. She is also very well known for being the office gossip, so it’s only mildly surprising that she’s texting me.
Kara:Hey girl! Sorry to see you go. :( The whole office is talking about what happened. Were you really sleeping with Brad!?
I sigh. I guess there isn’t any point in keeping it secret anymore.
Charlie:Yep, sure was. Can’t say it was worth getting fired over though.
Kara:Really? But he’s so hot!
Before I can even respond, she sends another message.
Kara:I just thought you might want to know ... It was Brad’s secretary who reported you guys. She’s been going around telling people that she walked in on you and Brad boning in his office.
Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME? She already got the fucking guy, now she’s going around and lying about what happened? Screw her.
Trying not to overthink it, I type back:
Charlie:She has that backwards. I walked in on them. My relationship with Brad was over even if we hadn’t been reported.
I’m not entirely sure that’s true. If Brad had bothered to message me back and was even the slightest bit apologetic, I probably would have run straight back to him. I hate that about myself, but I know it’s true. Definitely not now though. Him and Olivia could have each other.
Kara:You’re kidding!!
