Chapter 4 A Friend

• It was over.
• It was all over.
• No money. No home.
• Loans to pay.
• No child, no wife.
• Just a few clothes in his bag, an ID in his wallet, and a dollar.
• And just like that, all his dreams flew away with the winds. He was left empty and a shadow of himself. He couldn't go back home because then his mother would cuss him out. He deserved it though. He had fought off his family and had stayed hating them for years because they didn't like Maria and never gave their support when he told them about his decision to drop out of school and support her instead.
• He was ashamed.
• Disgusted with himself.
• They were right and he was wrong all along.
• He couldn't go back there. He would much rather be dead on the streets than return home.
• What would he say?
• What apology could he possibly give to his parents?
• Useless.
• The next few months were hell, he did all kinds of jobs and slept in his truck at night. Whenever Allison calls him, he would make sure to receive the call at a good time or return her calls when he knew he would be alone, with less noise around and he would assure her he was alright. It hadn't lasted two months and Allison told him, her mom brought someone named Michael home. She said Maria went on dates with him and got her a babysitter. She also told him Michael had fancy cars, and he was going to get her and her mother their own cars each.
• Looks like she found one who would give her the lifestyle she wanted and how quick she was to move on.
• The news broke him but he didn't let it show in his voice while he spoke to his daughter, after the call had ended with its usual 'I love yous' he had slumped beside his truck tire and cried, then he went and got himself a bottle of booze and drunk till his heart content. The rest of the months was filled with menial jobs and alcohol abuse until he stumbled into Easton, a coworker who was let go by Mr. Zachary the same day as him. He didn't even recognize the man, he had gone and done good for himself, and after he had explained for what seemed like forever the frustrated man finally remembered him. That night he ate a good healthy dinner and slept on clean sheets in a warm bed and cozy room.
• Easton got him a job since he had worked as a marketer for far too long, he was familiar with the basics and so he was quick to get back into sync with his new job. Maria soon learned he had started working and came after him again. Claiming negligence to his child and he began to support his daughter, he didn't earn very much, his past loans had accumulated into huge amounts and he was trying to get that cleared. He loves Allison, she was his whole world, all that was left of what once used to be his life. It doesn't matter if Maria didn't allow him to see her, he cared for her and supported her as best he could. And the little girl made sure she called him twice a week. At least for now, he knows he still has her, maybe when she gets older she might get bored with him.
• All seem to have finally taken shape, he went back home, gave that apology to his aging parents, they forgave him but his father had hurt himself when he fell and was lying in the hospital bed, his mother urged that he supported her and with his daughter, the loans, his sick father, Alexander couldn't function a day without depression and the only way he got by was through alcohol. At this point, it may just be said that he is addicted.
• Then four days ago, it happened again, his job was snatched, his father had just been discharged, and is now home, thanks to him, but his loans remain and his daughter on the other hand, then his rent had expired and he had no job, no money.
• Great-fucking-tastic.
• The life he lived.
• He didn't understand why he got fired. Nathaniel wouldn't give him a reasonable reason why he just fucking sent him packing. This was all so messed up. His life was a mess. To add sore to his injury he had spoken to Allison who told him that her mother was getting married in two weeks after her sixth birthday. Has it even lasted a year since they separated? How eager was she that they separate? How long has she been unhappy with him? Could life take it any easier on his miserable soul? And Maria, how could she, really? After everything, she's just moving on as if he was never in the picture.
• How fast can people change?
• One minute you think you know someone and the very next second, it's a total twist of fate.
• ********
• "Xander?"
• He jumped at the sound of his name, he had forgotten he was speaking with Easton.
• "Xander, you with me, hey?"
• "Y-Yeah..." his voice cracked, he was going to cry again. Fuck. Rubbing at his eyes bitterly, he panted trying to hold back his emotions, to stop the war of tears before it tore through his aching heart.
• "I'm at your door, open up."
• "What?" He was shocked out of his bones to hear that. "No, no, no, you can't be here now! I need to clean up. The whole place is a mess." He ranted while ending the call and grabbing bed sheets from the floor. Just as he was about to make the bed, a loud bang came crashing on his door. "Fuck!" He cussed but continued to spread the sheets on the bed. His phone began to vibrate again and no doubt now, Easton was indeed at his door. How had he even gotten here so fast?
• "Open this fucking door, Xander, or so help me, I'll break the damn thing down."
• Alexander rushed over to the door, with one hand grabbing the keys he paused when he heard the door next to his open, he knew who it was and he didn't want to see them so he waited.
• "Oh, hey there, Mrs. Takahashi." Easton greeted the short elder and smiled grandly at her.
• "You want to break down my door?" She asked, eyeing him up and down evilly.
• "Uh, no no, just trying to scare my best friend." Easton chuckled nervously. Mrs. Takahashi can be very scary herself, with a pointy nose and dark eyes, and that frown she always wears is like a second face.
• "Is he dead?" She demanded.
• "Huh?" Easton gawked and Alexander facepalmed behind the door.
• "Your friend? Is he dead?"
• "What no! Mrs. Takahashi, come on now, he's in there, just going through a bit of a hard time but he's strong and he will pull through."
• "You know he owes me rent?"
• "Oh, no, I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
• "That's why he no come out." She said in her cute Japanese accent while pointing to the door then hissed. "If he no pay soon, I will send him out of my house. Tell him that." She groaned and turned to leave and Alexander was going to open the door for his friend but paused when he heard Easton speak his next word.
• "How much does he owe?"
• "What?" Alexander whispered behind the closed door but soon palmed his mouth to silence the rest of his words.
• "Why? You want to pay?" She demanded and Easton stifled a chuckle.
• "Yes, Mrs. Takahashi, just tell me what he owes you and I will clear it all and pay for the next couple of months. Is that okay?" He smiled towards the woman but she huffed and nodded.
• "Yes, yes, come on to my office, I will give you his bill." As they both walked down the hallway, Alexander slumped to his knees, the tears he'd been trying to hold soon came overwhelming him.
• "It wouldn't kill you to smile every once in a while, Mrs. Takahashi."
• He could hear both laughing as they walked down the hallway.
• "If I laugh no one takes me serious." She defended her tactics and chuckled again. "You know, you are a good friend Mr. Easton."
• "Thank you, Mrs. Takahashi."
• Their voices faded after that and Alexander just sat there, his back to the door, eyes bled. He had hit rock bottom. Sunken so low that he even felt sorry for himself. He really had to do something about his current state. Maybe see a therapist or something. He was losing his grip on reality but first, he has a dirty room to tidy up before Easton returns.
• **************