Halfway There by Aubrie Elliot Read Free Book Online Page A

through each day doing the things everybody else does.”
    â€œYou know what my parents once told me?” I said. Beth shook her head. “They once said they could see me as a professor, an absent-minded professor walking around in blue jeans and Birkenstocks.”
    â€œSo why didn’t you take their advice?”
    â€œWho the hell listens to their parents? Besides, they made it sound as if I couldn’t do anything else.You know the old adage, ‘Those who can’t do, teach’.”
    â€œThanks for the continued slamming.”
    â€œGive me a break. This is my pity party.”
    â€œOkay, so what are you going to do?”
    â€œI think, dear Beth, I’m going to have another drink. How are you doing over there?”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    A quick pour, no water this time.
    â€œYou know, I can’t imagine going back to idiot bosses, snide co-workers, and inane projects.” The scotch was going down nice and easy. Too easily.
    â€œAs far as I can tell, you’ve about eliminated every job that’s out there.”
    â€œExactly. That’s why I’m whining about it.”
    â€œYou could always go back to school.”
    â€œYeah, and study what exactly? No, wait; don’t answer that. I know exactly what I should do.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œI think I’m going to sit back and spend Ellen’s money for a change.”
    â€œCan you two afford that?”
    â€œWe could just stop eating. I could stand to lose a few pounds anyway.”
    We talked for hours going around and around. It kept coming back to the fact that I didn’t want togo back to work. I’d had enough. After we accepted that, the possibilities were endless. Reality blew, so fantasy ruled, at least until the phone rang. It was Ellen.
    â€œHello, honey. What’s up?” I slurred into the phone. In the distance I heard a dog yelping. “I think your cat just beat the shit out of my dog.”
    â€œThat’s nice. I need a ride back from the airport.”
    I put my hand over the receiver. “Beth, Ellen needs a ride,” I giggled.
    â€œI don’t think you’re up to it. I know I’m not.” For emphasis, Beth poured the last of the wine into her glass.
    â€œI think you’re on your own,” I said into the phone.
    â€œGreat. Fine. Whatever.” Ellen hung up.
    I looked over at Beth. “I think she’s pissed.”
    â€œShe’ll get over it, but it looks like I’ll need another bottle.”
    We kept talking for another hour. I had pretty much forgotten Ellen was even coming home until I heard her stomp into the living room. She looked us over for a minute. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
    â€œHiya, honey,” I slurred.
    â€œI need fifty dollars for the cab I had to take fromthe airport.”
    â€œWhat?” I couldn’t quite grasp what she was saying. “Why do you need fifty dollars?”
    â€œBecause you were too drunk to come get me,
honey
. What do you think, I just flew home?”
    â€œThat would be cool—”
    â€œEllen, I’ve got about thirty here. Aubrie,
Aubrie
!” Beth got my attention. “Where’s your purse?”
    â€œUh, it’s on the radiator by the door. Why do you need it?”
    â€œI’ve got it,” Ellen said.
    â€œHey, don’t take everything,” I yelled.
    â€œDon’t you worry about how much I’m taking. If it hadn’t been for—”
    I couldn’t hear the rest of what she said. She went out to pay the driver. Beth and I sat quietly dreading Ellen’s return. It didn’t take long.
    â€œNow that that’s taken care of, what in the hell is going on around here?”
    â€œWas there any change?” I asked.
    â€œNo, Aubrie, there wasn’t any change, and if there was change, I wouldn’t give it to you.”
    â€œYou’re pretty selfish, you know