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CHAPTER TWELVE
The alarm clock woke them. Eddie was on the move, hitting the snooze button for Tanya. He jumped in the shower, shaved and got dressed. Tanya was admiring how good he looked as he put on his shoes.“ Do you think you should play hooky today?” he asked, feeling her gaze.“ I felt much better after someone came in here last night and massaged my feet and back. I did not realize how tense I was until you started rubbing my shoulders. That was very nice,” she said, giving him a kiss.“ Not that I want your head to swell, but have I mentioned how sexy you look in that suit?”“ I may need a couple more.”“ And some tailored shirts.”
They discussed the fact that Tanya always had to keep her appearance. She was going over bills and saw how much her clothing, nylons and makeup cost. When she compared it to Eddie’ s durable work pants and work shirts, there really was no comparison. Looking professional carried a price tag. Eddie could afford to keep up his appearance. Reading another question in her brown eyes, he asked,“ What?”“ I know it’ s not easy, but don’ t you think you need to tell them you won’ t be back?” she said. Eddie nodded.
The trucking terminal looked foreign to him as he passed through the security gate and drove around the pot holes that threatened to dislodge his wheels. He had time this morning and was not sure if he would have the luxury, within the next couple of weeks, to officially resign. The“ service” company had gotten too big and, like Rome, would fall under it’ s own weight. It would crush thousands of lives with the exception of those who made the worst decisions, those with the multi-million dollar salaries. Thoughts of how he would handle this situation began with a rant of epic proportion and ended with telling the little Napoleon to,“ Take this job and shove it!” Those images changed the moment he entered the ugly brick and rusted steel building. Eddie embodied the persona Frank offered.“ Thanks for everything. I won’ t be back,” he said, offering his hand to the man who would not take it.“ You’ re quitting?” the short, fat tyrant in rumpled white shirt and fraying neck tie, seated behind the painted metal and chipped, Formica topped desk, asked incredulously.“ Correct.” Eddie said, and walked out.
Eddie was stoked as he drove across the smooth surface of the clearly marked parking lot. The beautifully polished granite and glass building glistened.“ Morning Charlie,” he said, entering Frank’ s domain. She glanced at the phone.“ He is busy at the moment. Would you like to wait here or in your office?” she asked, motioning toward the comfortable looking sofa and chair occupying a corner of the reception area.“ My office. Thanks,” he said. Jubilation was the only way to describe how Eddie felt sitting at his desk in his office. The dread of cutting the string to something so familiar, loomed over him for an entire week. Now that it was done, he only felt sorry for the friendships left behind. He did not say goodbye because the people he worked with would never see him as an executive or, honestly, wish him well. The moment of reflection passed with the chirp of the phone.
“ Eddie,” he said.“ Frank is on his way to the lobby,” Charlene said.“ On my way,” he replied, grabbed his briefcase and made his way, quickly to the lobby. The receptionist was speaking to Frank as Eddie approached.“ Ready?” Frank asked, turning toward Eddie. He nodded.“ Let’ s go knock‘ em dead,” Frank said, leading the way. Tossing Eddie the keys, outside in the bright sunshine, Frank asked if he knew how to operate a standard.“ Does it have more than ten gears?” Eddie answered, fielding the keys effortlessly.“ She might be a little more responsive than what you are used to driving,” Frank stated. Behind the wheel of the luxury sedan, Eddie adjusted the seat and mirrors.“ Anything I should know about how she handles?” he asked.“ She likes gas and her gears are tight,” Frank answered.“ Out the driveway and hang a right,” he said, buckling the seat belt. They were halfway down the block when Frank said,“ You drive like an old lady.”“ I was being careful.”