Day 54 of 💯: We’re Out of Milk
💯 STORY CHALLENGE
I despised where I was at in life, hated my job at the factory, and possibly most important of all, I didn’t like my family. I planned to leave it all behind. I had a bag packed and ready in the truck. All I had to do was walk out that door and turn the key then it all would be behind me.
My wife wanted to talk about our future together. She had these ideas that we would buy a house and move into the suburbs. We’d probably purchase a new car or two on top of this crazy ten year plan she had. Regardless, I played along with her. I tried to sound invested but not too enthusiastic. I didn’t want her to think something was off and try to stop me.
After awhile I grew tired and irritated of our chat. I told her I was going to go to the store and pick up an extra gallon of milk and maybe something to go with dinner. She said something about chocolate but I didn’t pay attention. After I walk through that door I was never going to come back.
My daughter ran up to me as I put my shoes on. She had a big toothy grin on her face and a doll in her hand, but I’ll never forget what she said to me.
“Hey Daddy, can you get a surprise for me from the store?”
It caught me off guard and I told her I would just to get rid of her. Then I walked out the door and drove off. I did end up in the grocery store parking lot. I sat there for a long time desperate to forget my daughter’s face and the innocent words she spoke to me, but I couldn’t.
No matter how hard I tried or the amount of tears I shed there was no way I could forget. I went into that store and if my bank account would have allowed it I would have bought her every damn surprise in there. I brought the spoils from my failed runaway attempt back home and received the biggest hug ever. I silently cried the entire time and refused to let her go in fear she would see. My wife saw though.
She asked about how I was doing later on that night and I just told her I loved my family. Her face bore skepticism and I thought she would press the matter further, but luckily, she dropped it.
Now we’re celebrating our seven year anniversary in the yard of our new suburban home. We’re expecting the birth of a boy, our second child, in a few months and I have never been happier about my life. I love my job at the office, and definitely the most important of all, I love my family.
Inspired by Zane Dickens’💯 Story Challenge. I’ve made it over halfway now! Hopefully, I can make it to the end of this challenge. I will self-publish my work instead of submitting to a publication.
