Slum Enterprise - Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
Lee found himself sitting on one of the donated benches that was tucked away in the brush 50 ft off the main running path. He was sitting cross legged and upright, nobody was around him. The sky was a deep blue, the colorful trees moved in the light breeze around him. Birds chirped and red squirrels sounded their territorial alarms from the branches above. Lee shook his head violently, he didn't know, or remember how he got to the bench.
“Why?” Lee said out loud.
He came to his wits slowly and started to accept that this was some strange trip, maybe he was drugged unknowingly back at the work department picnic. He un crossed his legs and placed his shoes back on the gravel ground, stood up and ran back home. All he wanted to do was see Annie.
Lee ran the 2.5 miles back with his head hanging low and deep in thought about what he had just endured. He checked his running watch, it was almost 6pm. It felt like he was gone for an entire day. He paid no attention to his surroundings. His 5 main senses were fried and worn. A deep sadness filled him. It felt as if he would never be happy ever again. Joy was a distant pipe dream for the few privileged who walked the earth.
Though Lee persisted in his run, it was beginning to get cool out, the sun was almost completely gone.
As he ran, the sweat filled his pores again and dripped underneath his running clothes. Lee began to reflect like he always did when running.
He had a normal childhood, parents who stayed together who still lived in the same house his entire life. Lee had a brother and sister, who were both older that he looked up to, but at the same time was able to learn from their mistakes. They all kept in contact and were only scattered small distances around the city that circled the family home.
School in his early years was standard. Light bullying with bigger kids with deep insecurities, and enough friends and interests to keep him engaged. While he struggled with grades early on in elementary school, that all changed when his love for music exploded. It started in 4th grade band, he chose to play the alto saxophone. After, his standardized test scores went from the bottom where the teachers were concerned about Lee having a potential learning disability to the 99th percentile in the school. Lee’s parents were called in to discuss how he was able to cheat because the change was so drastic.
Lee got a tad bored with the saxophone, he always loved the sound of guitars and the plethora of guitar based music his father trained him on. He asked for his first guitar and that Christmas he received one. Lee learned through lessons and by playing to the rock and roll records lining the shelves in the basement. His father showed him how to properly use the record player and not scratch the vinyl.
Guitar was the prevailing instrument, it was engrained and stuck with Lee. He believed that the first guitar is what saved him from a meaningless dull life. His brain seemed to connect, his grades and test scores were never an issue after that. He became more confident and had better self esteem, which was severely hindered by a speech impediment. Lee now could talk smoothly with a slow cadence with careful breathing and relaxation techniques. Using music, he connected with other musical people, the people he met in his early years are still his best friends today. Lee found a connection and purpose, pretty much what all humans strive to do while existing.
After college, he found his first job, a corporate job that paid him a decent wage. Green Earth Solutions was well known and had a good reputation for being a valued engineering firm. He was very excited and wanted to prove himself even more. He was well into his relationship with Annie at this time, they met back in their freshman year of University. They supported each other through all the broke college years.
Everything was new and exciting back then, building a life was hard work but never dull. Adulthood was staring both of them in the face. Lee and Annie paid their dues, Lee worked his way up to Lab Manager. Everything was going smoothly, nothing particularly tragic had happened to him directly. Sure, friends and family had passed off natural courses, accidents, or suicides. Nothing at that point had shaken his entire perception. All Lee knew was that he was following the formula and was on the right track to live a normal life.