When I woke up, I new exactly where I was.  The dim lighting above me weakly flickered, but still maintained a low humming noise.  Many winged insects were attracted by the faint glow and added their own buzzing that complimented the stifled hum.  The floor was cold concrete that had been littered with torn newspaper and cigarette butts.  Two rows of metal benches lined the middle of the platform.  In shady corners where light was non-existent, creatures other than humans lurked and waited.  Rats and mice scurried freely to catch tonight’s dinner while bats hung upside down from pipes that lined the ceiling.  So this is why people hate riding the subway.

            The screeching of metal against the tracks emitted an unnerving sound wave, causing me to cringe.  Crowds of people around me filed onto the new train, now empty form its last drop-off.  Despite the anomalous hour of the night, there were many people to keep me company as I waited.  I clutched my ticket in my right hand.  After peering to the right of me at the man’s ticket, I noted that the destinations were the same while the departure time was different.

            I only remember a few things leading up the accident.  My wife Elisabeth was about to leave with the children for an all-expense paid vacation to some fancy new resort after she was persuaded by one of her friends who somehow managed to get all of them in for free with an unlimited day and night package.  Peter, now in fourth grade, and Julia, only in kindergarten, were excused from school with an “educational field trip” permission slip.  I, however, was up for a huge promotion.  After working my tail off since the day I was hired fresh out of college, I was waiting for an opportunity like this.  Vice-president.  Just think about the job title inspired me.  It took copious amounts of long nights at the office as well as the sacrifice of a few of Pete’s little league baseball games and couple of tea parties with Julia and some of her miscellaneous stuffed toys, but now I knew; the ends do justify the means.

            One evening, my boss had called me into his office.  “Simon, you’ve poured your heart into this corporation since day one.  As you know, a position has opened up that’s rather high on the food chain, but I’m certain that you’ll be able to handle it with ease,” he stated with a grin on his face.  Leaning back on his leather chair, he propped his feet up on the wooden desk in front of him.  “We’ll be having a company dinner next weekend in celebration of your promotion.  I hope you’ll be able to make it.”

            I grinned back at him, nodding like a bobble-head on the dashboard of a convertible.  After assuring him that I’d be at the dinner ready to officially accept the promotion, I strutted proudly out of the office to my cubicle, doing my best to contain my excitement until I was out of my boss’s view.  Man, I’ve got to call Beth! This is fantastic!

            “Elisabeth!  I got the promotion!”

            “You’re kidding!  This soon?  Simon, that’s great!  When do you start?”

            “Well, I’ll get the official nod at the celebration dinner next weekend.”

            “Oh, Simon.  Didn’t you tell your boss that we’re leaving for vacation on Monday?  I mean, you could explain to the president that you need some downtime before you take up your new role.”

            “But I don’t need any downtime.  You know how long I’ve been waiting for this promotion.  Do you realize that the world’s still turning while you relax at your little day spa?”  I barked, my frustration evident.  “Can’t you see how a vacation wanes in importance to my career?  I don’t have time for downtime.”  “It’s not just vacation – It’s your family!  Julia and Pete were so happy that you’d be spending the week with them.  They never get o see you anymore.  You’re always gone before they leave for school and home after they go to bed.  You’re a stranger to them, Simon.”  Elisabeth cried, “A stranger to me.”

            “You guys will always be there, but this opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime thing!  Can you even try to imagine how important this is to me?”  The phone went silent for a moment.  “Beth?”

            “I know exactly how important this is to you – more important than your own family.”  With a click, a hollow dial tone echoed through the phone receiver.

            Letting out a sigh, I tried to convince myself that I was right.  How could you even compare the significance of a holiday to your profession?  That’s nonsense.  Until the vacation, I went about my daily business around the office, doing my best to avoid Elisabeth at home at any cost.  Of course, this meant that I would have to microwave leftovers and spend my nights on the living room sofa.  The kids, however, were more merciful.  They were more easily consoled with a promise to visit Chuck E. Cheese’s upon their request.

            They had left Monday and sent me a postcard that arrived Thursday.  The front of the postcard illustrated a gorgeous sunset on calm water and painter’s sky.  On the back, it read: “We miss you, Daddy!  Love, Peter, Julia, and Mom.”  The postcard was now sitting on my bureau, and I reread it as I got dressed for the celebratory dinner.  Maybe I did need a break before I entered my new position.  As I began to second guess myself more, I thought about the good time Elisabeth and the kids were having, but also about the good time Elisabeth and the kids were having, but also about the great time all of us could be having together.  Maybe she was right.

            No, it doesn’t matter now.  It’s too late.  You’re going to get a promotion and love it.  Remember: you want this.  You’ve always wanted this.  With that, I picked up my coast and keys and walked to the front door.  I locked the door behind me and made my way to the driveway.  A freshly washed and waxed Honda Civic awaited me, Inserting the keys into the ignition, I turned to look behind me as I pulled out.

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