600 Miles

I got an email from my aunt back in Massachusetts tonight. The holidays are fast approaching and the thought of missing Christmas at her house for the second year in a row is heartbreaking. Virginia has definitely been good to me, and I've no intention of ever moving away, but there are those times when I feel a heavy-hearted homesickness. I keep looking at my work schedule and my bank account, looking for a way to get back there for a few days. The last time I went was in August I believe, but it was for a funeral, which is never a good occasion for visiting. I must go soon. I must ...

My day work-wise was anxious and had the slight smell of defeat to it. D and E are all feeling the same way. I gave D a hug today, before I left. She cried some. We're all so tired and in much need of a vacation. I can no longer ask D for time off, that's been removed from her duties as our manager. :( I now have to ask our new manager ... and just talking to the man exhausts me. Our personalities conflict at the core; never a good thing.

My day and night however were filled with a much needed proximity. A couple of shots of her favorite 80 proof liquor and the day's stress seemed to melt away for both of us. It's nice to be able to put the engine in idle and laugh. There's entirely not enough laughing going on lately and this was good for the soul.

I put away my writer's mind today, let it rest along with the other pieces. Tomorrow morning I'll start (and most likely finish) Chapter Nine. Then the outline for the next part. I think there's going to be five parts in total and this will bring us to the end of part two.

For now, off to sleep ... and all that it brings.