At Last

Today he turned 40. And what did he have to show for it? A less than comfortable relationship with his parents, no relationship with his sisters, and no wife or kids. Signing up for this jet-setting gig had seemed like a good idea at the time: good money, comping privileges, girlfriends galore. What more would a guy want? Then, not a thing.

But today would be his last day. One last return flight, one last call to his boss and one last big paycheck. “You will rent a car and drive home,” he said to the warped airplane mirror. Home, a place a child is always welcome, or so he hoped.

The landing was rough, but the phone call rougher. Breaking the terms of his contract, he’d only receive the base salary legally owed to him. Twelve years of being the top salesman and this was his fond farewell.

Starting the rental car, he realized it’d been a while since he’d last driven. “How different can it be,” he said. Eventually maneuvering his way out of airport traffic, he was finally cruising along the secondary highway towards home. Although this route added an extra hour, speeding along the interstate was not an option. His phone buzzed.

He glanced down and saw “…reconsider if….” He entered his password and typed “Thanks. But know.” Damn autocorrect, backspace…backspace… “no.” He smiled and glanced back up at the road.
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 The car crashed head-on with a truck. The word “delivered” flashed under his last text.