text: Hey guys, this is a culmination of real life experiences. The story itself is fiction, though I hope the real aspects appeal to you, and you find them entertaining and maybe humorous. Open to any feedback and appreciate your time. Planning on releasing more content each week! *Thats Life* “Fuck this, I’m going vegan.” Michael thought to himself. Sitting down on the big brown couch, they’d purchased off craigslist, Michael waited for dinner to arrive. A rack of ribs, side of gourmet sliders, and macaroni in cheese. “Tonights the last night.” he told himself that he’d maybe let his roommates know tomorrow. Michael Fontaine planned to make a change. Twenty minutes later, his best friends returned back with the takeout they’d ordered from Babes Barbecue. The 1,200+ calorie meal had costed them $70 in total with tip. Only thirty dollars cheaper than the crappy couch that had sunk their asses into every Monday Night for football over the last 5 years. Tonight their hometown team, the Pats or New England Patriots, faced off against the Buffalo Bills. Unloading the food onto the table in front of them, they dove into their greased paper bags, hunched over, their bellies hanging over their waistbands. Double rack of Ribs, three sliders, and a pound of Mac n Cheese with a side cup of St. Pauli's girl lager, filled to the brim. The U shaped seating arrangement allowed each of them to take their place around the knee high table while they stuff'd their faces. Within the first three minutes of the game,Tom Brady marched the Pats down the field for the first score. “Yo, TB! The fackin goat!” Reggie yelled with a mouth full of macaroni. “My guy! Lets go baby! ” Franky cheered with a half eaten rib in his hands. Michael sat between them and agreed, clapping his hands. He also knew something else about Brady. The guy didn’t eat Babes Barbecue. He didn’t barely ate meat at all, the guy is a 90% fackin vegan for christ sakes. Taking another gulp of his beer, Michael toasted to the guys, knowing it would be the last for a while. &#x200B; (Two weeks later) The alarm began to ring. 5:45am, or two hours before work. Michael hadn’t had a piece of meat yet. Every other morning, he'd started going on jogs around the neighborhood. In total he’d run 6 miles over the last two weeks, which was great compared to the zero exercise he'd been doing before. Pressing the snooze button, Michael went back to sleep for another 30 minutes which he concluded, he'd deserved by how sore his body felt. When he woke up next at 6:15am, he figured he could still go on his run, but would have to make it quick. Putting on his new Nike sneakers, he walked into the kitchen where he found Franky up early, dressed for work. “What’re you doing up so early?” Michael asked. “Today’s a walkthrough with Phill, shouldn't be much working." Franky answered with a yawn. Standing behind the bar in their living room, Franky began pouring himself a cold cup of beer. Franky and Reggie worked for William Caldwell, a construction company. The days were hard physical work though it definitely beat going to school to study. Both Franky and Reggie had started community college, but left soon after they got their first paycheck, realizing they could enjoy life much more putting their money towards experiences, like Sunday Ticket or NBA League Pass. “Where you going with those new shiny shoes?” Franky asked pointing to the clean white and blue sneakers. “Oh, just down to Dunkin to grab a coffee. Got these shoes, my damn feet have been killing me.” Michael lied. “Could of bought you a nice steak dinner with that money. Guess getting old means taking care of yourself eh?” Franky laughed, and Michael raised his eyebrows in unattested agreement. Michael walked out of the apartment into the cold morning. The fall weather felt perfect, cold enough to wake you up, and just right if you wanted to break a sweat. Seeing other people out and about, he felt more motivated, and got moving into a comfortable pace when about a mile away, he got an incoming call. It was Franky. “Yo, whats up Frank.” Michael answered, slowing down to a walk. “Think you could pick up two vanilla caw fee’s for me and Reggie?” “Sorry, Franky I forgot my wallet. I’m actually coming back now.” “You sound out of breath, everything okay?” “Yeah yeah, everything is fine, just running a little late thats all.” Michael lied. “All right well don’t go getting yourself a heart attack.” Franky joked. &#x200B; (3 months go by) The alarm went off at 5:30am. The Rolling Stones "Start me up" came through Michael's phone, a song he’d added to pump him up. Jumping out of bed, he grabbed his running shoes, and was out the door, on the streets by 5:45. Snow had built up in Boston, so he had to buy traction grip so that he wouldn't slip on the ice or snow. Michael finally was in rhythm with his life. Over the last three months he had failed, and given into old habits. After his first two strong weeks of no meat, he decided to get drunk for a buddies birthday. It all started with just a bite of a street dog, and ended with a late night delivery of Gino’s sausage pepperoni pizza. After that, Michael’s discipline fell apart. He began to cheat a little bit each and every day, until he found himself back in the groove of meat a few times a week. About two and a half months ago, Michael set the intention to get out of this funk. He had wanted that next step in his life. His dream had always been to become a teacher, and then principal of a Middle School. Trapped by the circumstances around him, he made excuses why it was so hard for him to get his act together. Soon after his buddies birthday, Michael got back to his routine of health and running. This time though, he'd eliminate drinking. A decision, that like eliminating meat, he decided to keep away from his best friends. Walking back into the apartment, the time read 6:23. Michael could smell eggs, coffee, and cigarette smoke. Alice Cooper’s “Poison” was playing on the kitchen speaker. Turning around to greet him, Reggie looked and smiled with a Marlboro in his mouth. “Good morning putz! Where you been?” Reggie looked like he’d just woken up. He wore a big Green Celtics robe, undoubtedly hungover. “Just took a walk to get some fresh air” Michael lied, giving him a high five as he walked by. “Yeah, yeah don't lie to me. You were jerking off in the park again, weren't you? Whats up with all the sweat?” Reggie joked, using the wooden spoon as a prop as if it were a penis. “Yeah jerking off to your mother.” Michael responded flipping Reggie the bird. Jumping into the shower Michael felt amazing. His endorphins were through the roof and he looked forward to the day ahead. His buddies hadn’t noticed, but he lost almost 20lbs, dropping from 200 to 180. Michael could now run a mile in under 8 minutes. While Michael showered and got cleaned up, Franky and Reggie put on their pants and jackets, getting ready for work. The 1,500 square foot project they were set to work on today, was for a new pharmacy down the street. The guys walked out of their apartment but not before leaving an extra plate of scrambled eggs on the counter for their buddy. A nice gesture, that would be met in the trash can as Michael left for work. The guys got in their truck and drove to the location of the site. Supposedly, the previous establishment would be easy to spot, it still had the sign up front that read "We are Kids!". A toy store that had been there for over 30 years, had been bought out, as parents now purchased video games and skateboards straight from the internet. Arriving at the sight, Reggie and Franky walked into the store dazed. The walls were amusing to them both, painted in yellow, green, and orange. The project manager Phil, stood behind a counter, next to an older man in a suit. Signaling them over, Phil looked stressed. “Hey guys, I’ve got to go for the day. They’re having me do a deposition for that gym off of 42nd street. You two clean up this place, and I’ll be back this afternoon." For the next hour, the guys demolished the stores interior, pulling out and breaking down cabinets where stuffed animals and bikes once stood. The lawsuit Phill had been spoken of was to their knowledge was out of their hands. Many of the details had been kept secret, though rumors spread that the explosion of the circuit breaker had nearly killed an electrician. &#x200B; (Another Month Goes By) “Hey Mikey, we’re ordering pizza. You want in?” Mikey!?” “He’s not here.” Responded Reggie who was already on the couch with a beer. “But it's the Pats and the Giants. Where the hell is he?” demanded Franky. Reggie shrugged. “Who cares, just order the pizza. I’m sure he’ll have some” Around halftime Michael walked into the house. He’d spent the day visiting colleges in Boston where he’d potentially return to get his teachers certification. Maybe even a masters one day. “Hey, heard the game on the radio. Pats are down?” Michael asked his two roommates who were sprawled out on the coach. Between them, was an empty spot, where Michael used to sit. “Yeah, fucking Brady threw a pick 6, could you believe that?” Reggie responded, taking another large gulp of his beer. “We got you some pizza Mikey, Sausage and Pepperoni your favorite.” Taking off his coat, Mikey wasn’t sure how to respond. He hadn’t had a conversation about his diet in the two months since he made the transition to vegetarianism. “Thanks Franky, I’m not in the mood for pizza. You two can have it.” The guys looked at each other rather annoyed. They had spent an extra $15 with tip to get the largest pizza. Eating the rest of their pizza, they waited for Mikey to return, however he just stayed in his room to finish review of his top colleges. “Hey has Mikey lost a lot of weight, his neck looks thinner.” Reggie spoke out loud. “Yeah, I think he’s sick or something. Not eating like he’s used to.” Franky responded, taking another bite of pizza. Reggie contemplated saying something else, when suddenly the Patriots defense scored a touchdown. His train of thought interrupted by his love of the Pats, he ignored the idea, of his best buddies new change. He and Franky both went to sleep feeling great, as they watched their Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles. &#x200B; (Later that week) “Alright Reggie, you and Franky never saw or used electrical wires or anything.” Phil began. Dressed in a suit and tie, he looked more nervous than before. He had been to two depositions already. The attorneys expected it to be a multimillion dollar case. The victim, Rafael Munoz, hadn’t had an issue with his work in 35 years as an electrical engineer. Now, badly disfigured from the explosion, Rafael may never work again. The attorney for William Caldwell spoke to Reggie and Franky once. He knew that the two of them would not do well in court or in front of a judge. Both of them were 29 years old but could have passed for much older, and in the attorney's eyes high probability of "slipping up." Reggie and Franky shook hands with Phil, and got back to work. They were extending the size of an old laundromat on Main Street. Finishing their daily work surprisingly quick, they headed out to the local Sports bar "Champs" to grab a beer. Across the street, Bailes Munoz watched the men get into their truck and drive away. She had been sitting and paying for the parking meter for over 2 hours, contemplating whether to go through with this. Her husband had put them both in debt after the accident. The attorneys told her that Rafael would win, and his medical expenses paid for and more. This didn't help the fact that she no longer loved her husband. Only the day before the accident, she had caught him cheating. Remembering what their attorney told her, she took a deep breath and turned on the ignition. Following the men, she felt like one of those detective's from Chicago PD, “Anything they say can and will be used against them in a court of law.” &#x200B; (At Champs) The Celtics were playing the Lakers in the rather empty bar. “Two St. Pauli's please” Franky paid the bartender in cash. Returning their change, Franky tipped the man kindly. “I’ll have a tequila soda, two limes” Bailes sat down a seat away from the men, she looked beautiful. In her late 40’s she stayed in great shape. Wearing a hot pink dress, with black & white striped heels, the guys took notice, nudging each other at the elbow. Pulling out her American Express, she handed her card to the bartender. “Keep it open.” By the middle of the first quarter, the guys had finished their first beer and were on to their second. The Lakers were winning by 10 points, and Bailes cheered as they continued to pull away. “Laker fan huh?” Reggie asked rather indirectly. “Damn right, born and raised in Inglewood California” Bailes responded with some spice. “Oh shit, the hood?” added Franky animatedly. Bailes laughed at this, and confessed that she sure as hell was raised in a tough neighborhood. “What about you boys, you from Boston?” “Born and raised. The city of Champions” Reggie began, as he pointed to the banners that hung across the bar. “More than any other city in the United States,” he continued. After some back and taunting, Bailes began to open up the conversation more personally. A real estate agent, she hustled selling mid level properties all over the city. The confident and spunky persona that brought her success, she now used to coerce the construction workers who she caught multiple times looking down her shirt. “So whats a beautiful real estate agents like yourself, doing at a bar all alone?” Inquired Reggie. “Well, I’ve got this lawsuit, but you guys wouldn’t understand.” Bailes responded, her gaze focusing on the tv in front of them “I’m sorry to hear that, what happened.” Franky asked. Bailes began to tell her a made up story, about how she had been wrongfully accused in a deal with a home buyer. “Someone is saying that I lied in my appraisal, that I didn’t follow through with my work. I don’t think I’m going to lose the lawsuit, its just that I feel guilty. I’m not sure if it was actually my fault.” Bailes reached into her purse, and clicked the red record button on the tape player her attorney had given her. After a few more questions, and lies, Bailes eyes were red. She had finally finished her story, and used all of the pity she felt for her cheating husband. Finishing her tequila today, she waited earnestly to hear if one of these two jokers would bite. “Would you guys like anything else to drink?” interrupted the bartender. “I don’t know, we’ve had quite a few.” Reggie answered. They related with Bailes story, it had definitely rattled them a bit. Getting up from her seat, Bailes went over and kissed both men on the cheek, leaving a smudge of pink lipstick on their cheeks. Her arms resting on both of their shoulders, she continued. “I don’t expect you guys to understand, maybe I'm just crazy for worrying like this” she began to pull away again, as if she'd leave their lives forever. “We understand more than you know.” Franky blurted out. “Damnit Franky, we’re not supposed to talk about it.” “Shut up Reggie, she deserves to know. We understand completely, let me tell you...” The lakers were up now by 20 points. &#x200B; (The next day) “Hello Mr. Jurist, this is Balies Munoz. You haven’t returned my calls, please get back to me, I have new information to discuss with you.” Bailes, had called her attorney three times that day, and still nothing. It was the end of the day now, she’d just shown an open house, and now had to pick up prescriptions for her cheating husband. A small private pharmacy had opened up down the street where that one toy store used to be. Charging the amount on her American Express, Bailes felt stressed. Even though she’d gotten the guys to talk, she felt wrong for helping Rafael. He’d been having an affair with his coworker's wife. For how long, it was anyones guess. She thought back to how they hadn't interacted at the 4th of July at a party she’d thrown last summer. Carol is her name, she thought. Carol was younger by at least 10 years. Her husband didn't seem to have his life much together, though genuinely seemed to try to do well for his family from what Rafael had told her. Maybe that was a lie. Bailes often times had flashbacks to the day where she found them together in their guest room. She'd called out of work, feeling sick, and come home early. Their two story apartment was big, but echoed as all rooms led to the great room. Hearing them make love in the guest room where her Mom often stayed during the holidays, she felt even sicker. Taking blame for everything wrong in the marriage to this point, she began to think back to her mother who'd always distrusted him. Particularly when they found out about his infertility, and subsequent unwillingness to adopt. Her mother had told her to leave him, he cared more about himself than anyone else. She had planned to tell her mother as soon as she found out about the affair. To hell with "Till death do us part" she thought to herself. This was the last straw. Then she received the voicemail from the hospital in the early morning about the accident. Life had once again put her in position to play the good wife. Stopping by Trader Joes on her way back home, she needed food for the week. Food for herself, and her handicapped husband. As if on autopilot she went through the aisles, picking out the food she always did. In the same quantities she had always done. Enough for two, with more to spare. Leftovers were welcomed kindly in the Munoz household. Her favorite things to munch on the next day, were the extra veggies and salads she would munch on in her tuber ware containers. Arriving at lane number 1, Bailes began unloading her grocery cart. “Hi how is your day going?” asked the friendly cashier. “Good, good.” Reaching into her purse, Bailes pulled out her wallet to find her American Express missing. Roaming around, she felt many things. Like lipstick, receipts from the hospital, proscription medication, and of course the black tape recorder. Opening up her billfold she only had $30 dollars in cash, the rest of her cards were with Rafael. “Is everything all right Ma’m?” inquired the cashier. “No, no, I’m sorry I think I left my American Express at the Pharmacy down the street” “Here, I can help. How much is it?” A young man, maybe in his late twenties walked up behind her. He wore a sweatshirt and running pants, with white and blue sneakers. “With that $30 off, it will come out to $70.85 total.” “Here, I’ll take care of it.” handing over his Visa Rewards card, the cashier accepted and charged it. “You don’t have to. Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I promise, I’ll pay you back.” Walking out of the grocery store, Michael carried his two full bags full of vegetables, while Bailes pushed her cart. “This is so embarrassing, I’m so embarrassed.” Bailes kept apologizing to the attractive young man, unsure how else to respond. “Thats okay, I understand these things happen.” Michael smiled back, noticing the diamond on her hand which they both noticed together, though Bailes wished she hadn't. “Well how about I get you a drink, or something. You know to thank my extraordinary grocery store super hero?” Bailes made a stupid joke, something she only does when nervous. “My name is Michael, and actually I don’t drink. Maybe we could grab a bite, if thats okay with you or your husband?” Michael responded in a friendly manner. Touching the ring on her finger, she she smiled and looked down. It wasn’t a date, she thought. He took paid for our food, and now I can pay for his. We’re not drinking so everything should be fine. “Okay, yeah lets go. What do you like?” “I’m on this plant based diet, so how about Shang Ru Lah?” &#x200B; (Three hours later) Bailes hadn’t planned on having more than one drink. One mojito she thought, thats all I'll have. As she spoke more to Michael, she admired him for his courage. A well fit, motivated young man, who really cared about himself. She found herself marveling at the way he carried conversations confidently and respected her. Ordering a full vegan meal, she felt good about herself too. The last time she had felt this way was when she'd told her mother off, how she wasn't leaving Rafael regardless of the adoption argument. Reflecting on that battle since the accident, she had felt trapped in a cycle of guilt and shame which Michael seemed to change. He had a new energy. How he openly talked about his struggles in life and his dream of one day being the principal of a middle school. He mentioned living with tough roommates and how he would be moving out of his apartment very soon to get his own place. Only loosely he talked about his roommates and how they had held him back in some ways. He loved them both, and Bailes admired how he could compartmentalize between the two. Admittedly he confessed that life could be so much better when he had the right people in it, eliminating the things that didn't serve him. Bailes heard these words, relating to the fateful truth of her own story. Two drinks later, Michael decided to drive her home, though she lied that she lost her keys. When he offered to pay for a hotel room, she kissed him, and so went back to his place. Opening her eyes the following morning, she saw pictures of Tom Brady, and other Boston greats hung up on the walls of Michael's rather small room. There were stacks of books and letters from colleges he’d applied to on his desk. Feeling somewhat relieved, she looked at her hand and saw her ring was missing. Grabbing her purse, she found the ring, and a note. “Went for a run, will be back by 7:00am” - Michael The clock read 6:38am. Bailes put her clothes on, and left as soon as she could. Opening up the door into the living room she smelled beer, and saw a box of pizza on the floor. Sports center was playing on the TV, and she swore she saw the body of a guys asleep on the couch. Luckily Michael lived only a few blocks away from the restaurant. Getting to her car, she expected to see a parking ticket, as the meeter started at 6:00am, but nothing was there. Arriving home 30 minutes later, she opened up her trunk to find that all of the meat had spoiled, only the veggies remained. Tossing the eggs, steak, chicken, and turkey into the dumpster on the way in she was surprised to feel relief, and not guilt. Maybe it was the healthy meal last night, or possibly the sex she hadn’t had in over 6 months. Greeting the lobby manager, she smiled, holding only three bags of groceies, waiting for this weightless feeling to subside, and the truth of her actions to set in. Arriving on the 12th floor, Bailes walked down to her room 1204, and opened up the door, to their apartment. Placing the groceries down, and putting them away, she decided she'd make a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal would do just fine for her and Rafael. Thankfully she wouldn't have to go through the chore of making pouched eggs benedict as he had often requested. “Raffy, I’m home!” Bailes called out, her voice echoing through the house. Bailes phone buzzed, and saw the text message. It was from Michael. “Have a great day :)” Boiling the water, she accidentally made only a cup, or enough for one. Cutting up strawberries and cleaning blueberries she turned on some music. It was a playlist called “love in the morning” which her mother had sent her. Thats life began playing by Frank Sinatra. “Your’e riding high in April, shot down in May, but I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June” Pouring the boiling water into a fresh bowl of oats, she covered it with foil to cook it faster. Rafael couldn't answer he, he likely was asleep Bailes supposed. Eating her own bowl of oatmeal, she took 30 minutes to herself before she wet downstairs to find him. Their bedroom empty, she couldn't imagine where he had gone. The only other place would be the guest room. Walking in, she found the bodies of Carol and Rafael and Steve. and two others in the guest bedroom. Steve his coworker, and Carol his wife. The Police officers would report that Steve his coworker and understudy had been responsible for rigging the fuse box which exploded at the gym, almost killing Rafael. Investigators proved an act of passion, when they found the video recording the night before. Carol had come to the Munoz apartment, and Steve shortly after. Drunk from the way he stumbled through the lobby. They discovered that Steve had found on Carol's text messages in the weeks leading up to the accident, which would prove motive. Bailes screamed when she found their bodies across the floor, a pool of blood suround each corpse. The corrinors office reported an act of extreme violence, due to the viscious stab wounds, displaying that Steve hadn't made them suffer much, and acted rather impulsively. Steve's body was found in the closet a bottle of perscription medicine laid with him, where he'd poisoned himself. And so it goes, Reggie and Franky never had to go to court, and never heard anything come back from the lawsuit. They didn’t read the papers or pay attention to the news outside of sports. Every once and a while they’d talk about the hot latina woman they’d met in the bar and how she was into both of them, but that she was married and thats why they lucked out. Michael moved out of the apartment in June, and started school that same August at Boston University. He never saw Bailes again, though they messaged each other so often as if to catch up. Bailes needed a real man, and Michael had only just begun his journey of becoming one. &#x200B; (6 months later) “Hey Bailes, how are you doing. Its been a while?” “Great. Never better.