Page 4 of Salvage Him

Angelina stood near the front of Crush but took one more look backatme.

I winked and turned my attention to the private area reserved for my friendsandme.

The stage performance had stopped, and a DJ played bass filled dancemusic.

Two guys were in an animated debate. I headed over to the corner to see if I could referee another fight between my best friends JustinandSeth.

"Gentlemen, please. What has your panties in a bunch this time?" Iasked.

They stopped arguing long enough to greet me with a hug. We had been friends since we were kids. We grew up together inHighlandPark.

If these guys were like brothers to me, they were like twins to eachother.

"I finished the piece for the lobby. I'll deliver it tomorrow." I showed him a photo on myphone.

I was proud of the maple wood cabinet with its intricate design on the front panels. It symbolized a year of living my life on myterms.

"Dude. Nice." Justin grinned and took the phone. "Thanks,man."

"You're welcome. It’s the least I could do after the business you guys have given me over thislastyear."

"That's right. It's been a year since Mommy and Daddy cut you off,"Sethsaid.

"And I'm still alive,"Isaid.

Welaughed.

My parents didn't cut me off. The guys knewthat,too.

My grandfather founded a real estate development company over forty years ago. My father ran it now. I was expected to follow in his footsteps and take over someday. I knew from a young age that it wasn't the life for me, but I gave it a try. I suppressed every dominant, creative, non-conforming bone in my body and did it. I went to SMU and graduated with an MBA in business in four years. I interned in every department at Crawford Realty. I ended up a real estate broker right out of college. My father and I worked together closed deals right. Made the kind of salary where I didn't need to dip into mytrustfund.

Then a year ago, I walked into his office and gave itallup.

Last week was the first Sunday dinner when he didn't beg me tocomeback.

I settled back into the couch andsmiled.

Lifedidn'tsuck.