My Rock

 I had just gone through a bad break up with an emotionally and mentally abusive ex and wanted to focus on myself. But my mom had other plans. She wanted me to meet the family friend’s nephew. You’d think this was the story but far from it. He was in town on break from his college in Orlando, Florida. I was messed up mentally, emotionally and made the poor decision to date this guy after not knowing him at all. But I looked at colleges in Orlando. I wanted to do something with video games for a while now and found a college in Orlando where I could study game design. After visiting the school, seeing the programs offered and the campus, which in hindsight was extremely flashy, I applied and was accepted.

Although the romance didn’t last. As soon as he got me away from my family he showed his true colors, by this I mean the same day. He was verbally abusive and constantly put me down. I knew this was bad and it would turn physically abusive in a matter of time but I also wanted so deeply to make my life work. I wanted something better in my life and this college I believed was my answer. Once in this new huge city I realized how bad my situation was.

This guy had no apartment and had not asked his roommate if I could move in. His roommate actually had other people sleeping over which left us no room or place to sleep. After a night sleeping in his truck I knew this wasn’t going to work. I needed to get away from him. But first, I needed a job. I spent the day hunting for jobs, as a waitress I hit every restaurant I could with little luck.

As I drove down Orange Blossom Trail, I saw a Bennigans. But on the first drive by, there was no easy access into the parking lot. Normally I would have taken this as a sign. A restaurant with confusing access into the parking lot would deter diners resulting in less foot traffic. Meaning less money. But something drove me on, something told me to find a way into the parking lot and apply. On the third pass I found the side driveway in. 

There was hardly anyone eating, although this was the slow time of the day. This should have been another red flag, as later I would hate this job. However I pushed through, asked the host if I could speak with the manager. Ah, remember those days? Putting in footwork and speaking directly to management to get that good impression in before applying? Not like today where everything is done online. But I’m getting off topic.

The manager was pleasant enough and seemed eager to have someone with my experience as a waitress. She hired me on the spot. I was thrilled. As I was leaving she told me a day to come into orientation but she said one more thing before I left. “I have an interview scheduled with a possible cook today. Hopefully that goes well and you won't be alone!” 

This mystery cook was the man that would change my life.

Orientation day came and I arrived early. As I waited a rather unassuming man walked in with a motorcycle helmet in his hand. It happed to be my favorite color, bright green! He greeted me with a warm smile that seemed far more genuine than I have had in my time in this not so friendly city. During the small talk I made sure to mention I had a boyfriend. Despite how badly I wanted to get away from this man, cheating was not the way to go. But this mystery cook seemed to take this in stride. Somehow he mentioned video games. 

Video games were not just a passing fade, it was a passion. I knew I wanted to do character design, was deeply interested in the making of games and developing stories. Not sure how he pegged me a gamer but that is a sure fire way to get me too open up. We gushed about our latest games and the ones we loved as kids. When the manager came over to do the actual orientation we quieted down, but speaking to this cook was so effortless. 

After the formal paper work we were subjected to possibly the worst safety video I have ever had the displeasure of being paid to watch. What was supposed to be us learning turned into Mystery Science Theater 3000. With the two of us riffing and poking fun at the video. I haven’t laughed that much in years, and neither had he. The manager came over to ask what we were doing. We said “watching the video!” which he replied with “I have seen the video… It’s not that interesting…” This would later become our favorite manager.

A week after starting college I quickly made friends, which is saying something because I’m an introvert. Begged them to move in and got out of that toxic relationship. Meanwhile my friendship with the cook only grew. He helped me get away from him, helped me study. Not “Netflix and Chill study” but really put effort into helping me succeed in my classes. He even protected me from my ex and a perverted neighbor. Was there for me emotionally and physically. All this before dating.  

Everything in that city was dark, gloomy and down right dangerous but I’d do it all over again if it meant meeting the love of my life again. November twenty third will be eighteen years together and fifteen years married. That wild and reckless choice to follow a boy I didn’t know, to a city four hours away from any support I had, that persistence to find the entrance to a run down restaurant in clear decline led me to a man who has stood by me through the storms of life.

Working fifty to sixty hours a week when I was extremely sick and needing several surgeries. Comforted me through the passing of both my mother and grandmother. Made sure we always had time together, even when his friends looked down upon him for it. Comforted me when it became known I could not have children. Possibly most importantly, he pushed me to publish my first book. That book which led me here, to put in for an entry in this writing contest. This crazy, funny, loyal, hardworking man was the best encounter with a person in my life. Our story is continuing, as we now work on building a house together on a property we own. 

The boy I went to Orlando with almost became my nightmare. The college was so bad, mostly due to the teachers and classes, I didn’t renew a second semester. Although I was amused when I found out only a couple of years later they lost their accreditation. The job I fought so hard to figure out how to get in broke in ways I wasn’t prepared to go through. Forced to live in a very dangerous part of town, next to a sexual predator. But I would do it all again just to meet my husband again.