work

It was true. Eric felt like shit. Not a lot had changed. The first week he just couldn't eat after the break up with Ellie. It wasn't worth it. The second week wasn't much better? How long had it been with out Ellie? It felt like years.

Nick had confided in him that she just didn't understand why she didn't at least see him around school. Was Eric avoiding her? Eric didn't know how to admit this without sounding evil. But it was true, this hurt so much, he just couldn't stand the thought of what he might do if he saw her. What if he started crying. Perhaps he'd run up and grab her by the knees and say something pathetic like, "Please take me back! Please!" All sorts of things went through his head. Mainly, the fact that she'd look right through him and not even see him there. That got to him the most.

He kept having dreams of getting a motel room with clocks of all the different times in the world and a room with no bed bud just a little love seat. And that's where he'd be put for good. The most uncomfortable room. Eric didn't want to sleep if that's all he could dream about.

But he dragged through work. He looked around wondering if anyone noticed this dreadful look of his. Could he even muster up a, "Well, how are you?" to the next customer he had to face. He worked diligently as if somehow the time would pass, but he'd look up at the clock and it was as if time were standing still.

It finally occured to Eric, as he looked around at the faces, there was no Penelope. Not that he missed her. She had started seeing Scott from produce who had a friend of a friend who would get him wine there and well, they'd hit it off. She'd said so in passing a few weeks ago. She was having a splendid January with her new boyfriend who was on the wrestling team. They argued a good bit, but that was the sort of guy Penelope liked. Eric was quite aware now that he wasn't even the kind of fellow she liked. He was a sissy boy. Over heard it plain as day while on break. Some of the other girls were saying why Penelope thought Scott was so hot. "He's not a sissy boy like Eric."

Just one more low blow. He was actually fine with it. Didn't bother him. But he was pretty sure if she saw him now she'd be calling him, "Sick boy."

As it was though, when he finally was finished for the night, he overheard those girls talking about Penelope again. She'd been in a carwreck.

"What happened?" He doubted they'd tell him as they looked him over. He thought he even saw a sneer from one.

"I can't believe you'd want to know?" The blond one smirked.

"Well, she was sort of a friend," Eric winced wishing he was already out of his tie and in his pajama plaid flannel pants staring at his computer.

"It was bad," she then told him. "Both airbags went off. And she was driving. It even knocked her out for a bit. The airbag burned her face."

Eric didn't like the thought of that. Seriously, he didn't think she was that pretty, anyway.

"Well, they are OK, her and Scott." She shrugged. "But when she got out she thought Scott's head was hanging out through the windshield. It was just the airbag, but she went a little crazy."

Eric was about to walk away then.

"Oh, she had a cat-scan, and she's fine, I guess...only they found something."

"Found something?" Eric wondered if they noticed something like a baby foot in her brain or something.

"Her thyroid. Its wacky."

Eric just nodded. "Thanks for letting me know." He waved goodbye then and left. On his way to his car, he had to question himself- if he'd liked her maybe the wreck would have never happened. Then he found himself thinking out loud as he unlocked his car door. "Oh right, she never liked me, anyway."