Treading The Waters [on hold]

Chapter Two.

Getting over him was awful. In all honesty, most days I don't think I am. I spent my time working, going to school, and then closing myself off to the real world other than that. Until I met Kara, I didn't even go out. She brought a bit of life back to me, but I've not been myself in a long time, and it all started when I broke his heart... and mine in the process.

"Fine. But don't come crying to me when that choice inevitably bites you in the ass. And I hate to tell you babe, but I feel like shit, so I'm not sure how helpful I'll be helping you box everything up."

"Having you here is enough," I say solemnly, appreciating just how great my best friend is, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"No tears today, Bay. We agreed no tears."

"I'm emotional, okay! You should have known I couldn't keep that promise."

"Come here." Kara opens her arms and I close the short distance between us, embracing her in a hug that is surely to make breathing a struggle.

"Okay, let's get all of this packed up so you're ready to head out tomorrow. Are you sure that you're going to be okay driving across the country by yourself?"

"Yeah, I promise. I've got Wolf with me so I'm not worried."

"Okay. I don't like it, but at least you have my favorite man. Wolf! Buddy! Where are you?"

Padding paws press against the tile of my condo as Wolf barrels from my bedroom down the hall and straight to Kara, nearly knocking her to the ground as he jumps up onto her shoulders.

"Hey there, Wolfie. How's my best man?" Wolf pants and pants, licking the sides of Kara's face as she scratches behind his favorite place – his ears. And, because I know what he's waiting for. Every time Kara comes over, she always gives him extra treats.

Which is exactly what she does as soon as he hops down from her, wagging his tail and turning in circles as he does little tricks for her. She tosses him the treat, reaching down to pet him again.

"Good boy, Wolf. Now, where's those boxes?"

---------------

Kara and I had one too many glasses – or bottles – of wine last night. Probably not the smartest thing to do considering I have to drive from L.A. to Phoenix today. Driving alone is oddly therapeutic. It gives me time to think about everything.

Ever since I moved to L.A., my life has been consumed by my job. I was the first one in and the last to leave. I went out of my way for others, bending over backwards to show the label that I was worth keeping on, that I was great at what I did.

I did that while going to college. I had classes two days of the week and I lived in L.A. the rest of the time working at Lyrica. I graduated with my Bachelor of Business Administration and my Bachelor of Music in Songwriting from the University of California at Berkeley. I was still fortunate to go, even if that dream didn't play out how I originally thought it would.

Even though I know it isn't, this decision feels like the end of my dream. Losing inspiration, volun-told to take a break, deciding to go back home. It feels like I've pressed the rewind button on life, starting all over again.

I never thought I'd leave L.A. I thought that when I moved there, my dreams would come true, and I'd live happily ever after.

Wrong.

That dream got lost in translation along the way, because it's nothing resembling what I thought it'd be.

Maybe it's a good thing that I'm leaving for a while. Maybe I'll find something I didn't even know I was looking for.