I could have been.....

"When was the last time you saw them?"

Those words just keep ringing in my ears.

I am not cut out for this kind of work. The late hours, the driving around, the constant pressure.

I’m a simple man. I could have been a hot dog vendor or a skate sharpener guy…..but no. My brother says we need to seize the opportunity, and go for the gold. Make it big, cash out and retire, maybe down south, maybe even Europe. I’ve never been out of Ontario.

“When was the last time you saw them?”

He’s yelling now, turning a mean shade of crimson. He should really think about his blood pressure. I worry about him. He needs to relax.

I guess I should try and work with him- after all, they were my responsibility.I have told him a thousand times I am not the best in pressure situations. I really would make a good ice cream vendor- I know I could make a mean chocolate swirl dipped in sprinkles.

“When was the last time you saw them?”

His volume has gone up again. It hurts my ears. I don’t like it when he gets this mad.I am shaking now. It’s not my fault- he knows I tend to daydream, and when I do, things often go sideways. He says that he is helping me by giving me responsibility, and that I need to step up and take charge.I don’t want to be in charge. Maybe I could work in a factory, putting “50% more” stickers on shampoo bottles.

“When was the last time you saw them?” He is livid now. I need to explain- get out of this somehow…..

I blurt out-  “Mikey, It’s OK- we can always kidnap another couple of kids!!”