A New Chapter

It was around lunch time on a typical Tuesday. Arnold was once again at his favorite diner for lunch. A BLT and a diet coke was always a comfort meal for him during a hard day's work. Life had been, to be optimistic, on the brighter side for Arnold recently. Without too much detail, he had slowly begun to rebuild his life.

As he finished his sandwich, the waitress dropped off the check. He noticed that she had seemed sort of concerned or out of it, he wasn’t quite sure. Reflecting on what his therapist had been telling him, that simply hoping someone has a good day can completely change their perspective if it's received with a smile.

“Hey, thanks for the service. I hope that you-”

“I WANT KETCHUP!!!”, screamed a child from across the diner

“Waitress!! We need ketchup, NOW!!”demanded the Karen cut out that was the mother.

“I’ll be right there!”, said the waitress. “Sorry, see you next time!” She said this as she hurried back to the kitchen to retrieve a fresh bottle of tomato paste for the unruly crotch goblin that had stole the moment away from him. While it wasn’t exactly a substantial moment, for Arnold, he felt cut off by the universe in that moment.

Upon returning to work, Arnold was given news that he had a Zoom meeting with one of the higher ups in the corporation. His coworker assured him that it was nothing to worry about and merely a check to him how he's doing after everything that has happened. Before Arnold could say a word, his coworker left to go about his own day. Arnold sat there, reflecting about what just happened, about the kindness he was being extended to him by a higher up, but the shock of his job, a corporation, caring about him.

The meeting was scheduled for 2:15 PM. It was currently 1:53 PM. That meant that he had 22 minutes to gather himself. He took out his comb and slicked his hair back, grabbed a piece of gum to help pass the time, and did a couple of stretches before sitting back down at his desk. He got everything prepped to have the meeting, setting up Zoom and waiting for the higher up to call in. The time was now 2:03. 12 minutes left. Arnold began to look around his desk making sure everything was in order. His eyes wandered over to an old picture. It was a picture of him and another person. This person was blonde, bubbly, and appeared to have a beach ball under her extravagantly colorful sundress. They both appeared incredibly happy. Arnold began to stare at the photograph with ambition.

Ring RING RING

Arnold snapped out of whatever trance he had entered only to realize that he had missed the call from the higher up twice. He answered the one attempt, after adjusting himself to look presentable once again.

“Hello , Arnold! How are you doing today?”, said the computerized voice of an older gentleman.

“Doing well, Mr. Paige. How are you?”

“Oh, I'm doing splendid, and please, call me Steve. So, do you know why I’m calling?”

“I was told very briefly less than a half and hour ago.”

“Well, for starters, you are a valuable asset to this company and we value you. Everything that has happened over the last few months is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies, even my ex wives! Arnold. What I’m trying to say is that we will continue to support you and help pay for whatever you need in order to get through these times. Speaking of, how has therapy been?”

Arnold seemed almost taken back by this. Here was Steve Paige, the CFO of the company, telling him no to worry and everything will be taken care of. He almost felt like crying.

“Well Steve, as you know things haven’t been easy. After everything that happened, going home to an empty house has been tough. Things have still remained a bit the same as they were, but I've slowly begun to pack up things. I haven't been really talkative to anyone outside of work and can’t really even look people in the eye. My therapist suggested faking a smile and just wishing someone a good day. It's been helpful, but haven't had successful moments. I know that doesn't seem like much, but compared to the mess I was a few weeks after the accident, its progress.”

Arnold was shaking. He wasn’t shaking with anger, it seemed to like anxiety or PTSD. Clearly a lot had happened in these therapy sessions that had helped him immensely for what has happened. Arnold's eyes were once again fixed on the photograph.

“They’re on your desk right now, aren't they?” asked Steve.

“Yeah, they are.” Arnold said with a slight whimper.

“Hmm. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I couldn't imagine what you’re going through. As I said before, we are here for you. If you need more time off, just let us know, You’ll keep getting your salary. You’re secure here. We are here for you.”, assured Steve.

Arnold had calmed down a bit with that reassurance that he would have to worry for a bit longer. Everything had been piling up since the incident and he needed to begin his personal care. His state of mind in this moment, now. One could say that he was doing incredibly well for the trauma he had experienced. Perhaps, it was still some sort of shell shock from everything.

“Thank you, Steve!”, Arnold said as he was welling up a few tears in his eyes.

“You can also take the rest of the day off. You look like you could use some space away from the office. Go for a walk and try and clear your head before you go home. We are all behind you! Is there anything else you want to say before we part ways?”

“Well Steve, I don’t know exactly what-”, in that moment, Arnold noticed that the call had suddenly ended. He looked at the right corner of his monitor to see if he still had internet connection. He did. He thought it must have been a problem on Steve’s side. Arnold began to gather his things and prepare to head to his car for the drive home. As he was leaving, his computer chimed with an email. It was Steve apologizing for the connection error, thanks him for everything again, and reminding him to go on that walk.

Arnold approached his car, unlocked the door with the FOB and put his office things into his backseat and then proceeded to a nearby park. As he approached the park, Arnold could see families out and playing. Some with toddlers, some with babies in strollers. All that did was make Arnold think of the future. He reflected on what could have been, on how their son, Peter would have been so happy to meet dad after work at this park. Tears began spreading down Arnold's face. A was may not have been what he needed in that moment. Thankfully, tomorrow was Wednesday and he had therapy in the morning and surely we would be talking about this.

He hurried back to his car and drove away as soon as the engine started. He was about half way home when he received a call on his phone. It was from his mother. Arnold answered the call and turned on the speaker phone.

“Hey mom. How's it going?” answered Arnold.

“I’m doing well sweetie, how are you?” replied Arnold’s mom.

“You, know I’m doing better. I just went to a park to try and take my mind off of things but ended up seeing some families there instead”

“Oh honey that's so heartbreaking. I know it's only been six weeks since you woke up but the fact you're even going back to work is a miracle, let alone walking forward as you have been. If I were in your shoes I’d probably still be in the hospital!”

“Well mom, I’m still not able to pack everything up. Some of her clothes are still out and Peter's room is just as it was, minus the baby food and diapers.”

“What are you going to do with the house?” asked his mother.

“I’m not quite sure yet. Selling it has been an option. I’m not quite sure where I would go, but I'm still considering my options.”

“Why not keep the place? It's practically paid for and in a great location!”

“All of the memories that are there. It was our house. It was where our family was going to start. If I’m to move forward, it may be best to just start fresh. I haven't quite figured it out yet.”

“Well OK sweetie, whatever you think is best. I’m here for you. Come visit me sometime soon. I know its some distance away, but I miss you and I worried about you, especially since you left the hospital just over a month ago.”

“Don’t worry mom, I’m doing Ok with the therapy and being able to work to try and keep my mind occupied. Hey, I’m about to pull up to the house. I’ve got to go. I love you”

“I love you too! Call me later!”

“Ok, goodby--”, the phone call was over. Arnold's mother had hung up the phone before he could finish.

Arnold pulled into his driveway and parked his car. Next to him was a giant chunk of twisted metal that looked like it belonged in a scrap yard. As Arnold got out of the car, he looked over the twisted hunk. It was a completely crushed Jetta. It had been rear ended at such an extreme speed that the trunk and backseat were nearly indistinguishable. All the airbags were deployed, not a single bit of glass left, passenger seat and drivers seats were both crushed as well, it appeared as if the vehicle had been sandwiched between an impact front the back and the front.

All Arnold could do was think about that day, about how they were on the way to the funeral. Peter was in the back seat, crying as most week old babies do. They were stopped at a stop light, It was just Arnold and Peter in the car, stopped at a red light, waiting to go as they were already running late. Arnold turned around to attend to Peter as best he could when he saw it, the car coming with no break in sight, heading straight for them, there was no time for reaction.

Arnold snapped back to reality after a few moments, realizing where he was. He began to walk around the mangled car towards his front door. He passed a FOR SALE real estate sign in his front yard. Turns out he has already put the house on the market. Walking in the front door, Arnold was walking around boxes of various things that were put away. There were no pictures on the wall. The TV was taken down from the mount. The kitchen was bare and empty, minus what was in the sink at that moment. If you didn't know the situation, you would question whether Arnold had just moved in or was in the process of moving out.

As Arnold went up the stairs, it began to look more like a house that had been lived in. Some photographs on the wall. A bathroom that was recently used. As he rounded the corner at the top of the stairs, he looked down the hall and saw a blue room at the end. He hesitantly walked towards the room. The door creaked as he pushed it open. Inside was everything you’d expect for a baby boys room. A crib, mobile, sports paper, a rocking chair with some kids books and stuffed animals.

Arnold made his way over to the chair and sat down in it. As he did, memories of the short time he had with Peter flooded into him, only to be taken to the moment he woke up in the hospital with a tube down his throat. That car that had been coming towards them had rear ended them and smashed them into the vehicle in front of them. Arnold had been in a medically induced coma for up to a week. He woke up to the news of the accident that Peter did not make it, Not only had he missed his wife's funeral because of the accident, but they had already buried Peter too, right next to her as well.

Once again, Arnold found himself back in reality, back in the chair, thinking about Sally and everything that has happened. He had lost the ones he loved in such a close time period that he hadn't even had time to properly have closure on either one of them. He made his way back to his room after some time. There was a backpack, a rather large one, Like the size of one that you would expect when someone is taking an extended backpacking trip. On the desk next to the bed was a passport and some plane tickets. Arnold picked them up to examine them, He read them as they were one way tickets to Switzerland.

Memories of Arnold and Sally’s honeymoon began to fill his mind. Perhaps that is why he is choosing to drop everything. Maybe this is his way of saying goodbye properly. He knows that many don't understand, but that is why he has to slip out the same he has been denied. He threw himself onto the bed and began to cry. Fear, anger, loneliness, and anxiety filled him. They say life is a garden and you're supposed to dig and make your garden, but what happens when all of your vegetables rot in the ground? Well, you resoil your garden and start over, however you can.