The day started perfectly normal. I woke up, had breakfast, took a shower, and read the paper. I was a bit disappointed to see that I was not on the front page, but the article on the headlines was very interesting. I made my way to work and half way there the phone rang. It was our best lobbyist saying he needed to see me. As I arrived at the building, I began to recall the many things that we had discussed over the past year. I was in need of a new contract with said company, and I would have to go down the negotiation route again.
The end of the day was the same as most other days. I had another meeting with the CEO of the company. He is an arrogant man, but I had gotten a deal for them that was too good to refuse. Plus it kept them quiet for a couple of months. Just yesterday I found out we would have to appease their greed for more money again, and I knew that would be the greatest challenge of my life.
Once I arrived at my car I noticed there was a message from my wife. She had taken the kids to the movies, and she wanted me to meet them there. I jumped in my new sports car and sped to the theater. I had an hour before the show ended, so I figured I would sneak in at the end and surprise them. I parked my car and waited outside the theater. I was having a good time seeing the kids surprised and telling jokes. But something was odd. I could not hear anything. No, not just that. I could not hear my own thoughts anymore. I tried to think of anything. I wondered if the movie I just saw was any good. It was a Marvel movie, and they are always great. But I was hearing nothing from my mind. I just stood there, realizing that the theater is about to close, and I was in the middle of the street.
My wife looked at me with a confused face and said,
"what are you doing here? I just sent you a text. Wes, please tell me you have not been drinking again and sent me a drunk text."
I watched as the credits rolled on the screen. It was the same old boring movie. I really only wanted to see the end just to hear some music.
"Yes, I am sorry dear. I had to go out, and I never got back to the hotel. I guess I could spend the night here."
The kids were excited, and they began to grab all of their things from the car.
"That is fine, but it is not necessary. You could have waited for me," I said, trying to do the right thing.
"No Wes. We will get a room for you also. You really need to control your drinking," she replied while rolling her eyes.
It was typical of our marriage to end this way. Many of you have heard the saying, ''you are married to your children.'' That was the truth between my wife and I. My kids are very young, and there will come a time when they will leave the house. I will be left all alone to my own devices. But I would never have to worry about that problem for many years. I had so many things in my life that would keep me occupied for a while. And without my wife, there really was nothing else that would motivate me to live.
We entered the hotel, and they quickly began to go to their respective rooms. I couldn't help but laugh at the antics of the kids and my wife.
"Really, the kids are fine. Do you really have to go to this meeting? You could just skip it and stay," I said as I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I know honey. But dealing with those rich uptight people is not in my list of things to do today. You need to spend some time with the kids. They love seeing you, and it is a nice break from me always being around them."
She smiled as she disappeared behind her bedroom door. I never thought that I would be without my wife. I would be able to use my skills to hunt down this mystery person or persons that might be able to help me find her and bring her back.
The rest of the evening I spent sitting alone in the hotel room. It was a nice room with a view of the ocean. The sun had already gone down, and I had been sitting there for a while. Looking at my phone, I noticed that there was a text message from my wife. It said she was in the lobby. I quickly put on a shirt and headed downstairs to meet her. As I made my way to the lobby, I began to notice there did not seem to be anyone else in there. I walked up to the desk and saw a note that was addressed to me. I picked up the note and read it.