Not Homeless?
“You’re homeless!?” Greg was concerned.
“I didn’t say that.” Kevin was not.
“You said you were evicted.” Greg lowered his voice in Home Depot, although there was no one nearby in the aisle.
“I said I’m not living there anymore.”
“Yea, because you didn’t pay the rent.” Greg was irritated.
“I said I got behind.”
His irritation was increasing. “What about Jenny and the kids?”
“She left with them and the dog a few months ago.”
“Well, where are you living?” Greg was alarmed.
Kevin chuckled, “It’s good to see you, too. I didn’t know I was going to be interrogated.”
Greg put down the standing work light he was inspecting. “Dude, I’m sorry. I haven’t seen you in ages and you just startled me with all this.”
Kevin smiled and poked Greg on the shoulder. “So, how’s things in your neck of the woods.”
“All’s good.” Greg was not doing well at hiding his frustration. “Look, Kevin, I can’t just gloss this over. Where are you staying?”
“I just got an RV. I’m here picking up a few things before I go explore the country.”
“What kind?”
“It’s a van.” Kevin chuckled some more. “Wanna see it?”
Greg finally didn’t know what to say. The news was confounding and he just couldn’t make sense of Kevin’s apparent ease with it all. “Can you afford it?”
“The van?”
“A vacation!” Greg wanted to shake his crazy friend and tell him about responsibilities and bills and how he should devote himself to finding a new job as soon as possible.
Kevin smiled, “I can’t afford not to.”
“Seriously, dude, I’m getting a stomach ache just thinking about all this.”
“Greg, just chill. Yeah, I’ve been through some emotions. I was unemployed for a while. I’m not making anything like what I used to make. I sold my car and other stuff. I closed out an investment. Right now, I’m OK. I’m gonna take a little time to figure out the next phase of my life.”
“Where are you working?”
“I’ve got some online projects, so I can be anywhere.”
Greg was still dismayed. “What about the kids?”
“They’re good with their mom and we already worked out that I’ll take them on a trip next summer – after I’ve learned the ropes of this van camping life.” Kevin paused and then asked pointedly. “Is something going on?”
Greg sighed. He looked up and down the aisle and then down at his feet.
Kevin waited quietly.
Greg coughed, “Things aren’t going well with Rhonda and I.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“She wants a divorce.” Greg shifted his feet. “But I don’t.”
“That sucks.”
“Oh. And at work, they announced layoffs. I think I’ll be fine for now, but it’s not a good sign.” They both made room for a guy with a cart to maneuver around them. After a few moments, Greg continued. “My life had been kinda going to plan. And now it’s not.”
“That’s some stuff.”
Greg’s shoulders relaxed.
“Wanna get something to eat?”
Greg paused. “Sure. But show me your van, first. Maybe you’re not so crazy after all.”
by George Alger
WANT MORE?
Subscribe to LIMINAL STORIES (free) for more short stories and flash fiction.