Marco - 5. Chapter 5

When Karl graduated, he got married. I was his best man. I wished him the best. I honestly was happy for him. He was a good friend. I had made my peace with him. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked him, but now as a good friend. His wasn’t the only wedding I attended that summer. Tony also got married. His brother was his best man. I was just a spectator, and I was okay with that. I wished them success and a long marriage.

I started my graduate program. As part of the program, I was a Teacher’s Aid, TA. I was present when tests were being administered, and sometimes I would hold review classes. My involvement as a TA was dependent on the assignments my professor gave me. As I progressed through my courses, I was given more responsible assignments. During my last year, I was teaching freshmen classes. I enjoyed that, and I guessed it showed. That led to my professor trying to convince me to get my Ph.D.

On receiving my Master’s degree in accounting and passing the CPA exam, I was hired by the company where I worked as a summer intern. My first assignment was to oversee the summer interns. I laughed when my boss gave me that assignment.

After working there for two years, I was offered the opportunity to relocate to their Western office. The manager of that office was going to retire in the following year. I would replace him when he retired.

That evening I discussed the job offer with my Mom and Dad at dinner. “So I thought that maybe this move would be good for me. If I stay here, I’ll probably continue to run into Tony and Karl. This way, I’ll have a new start. Maybe I’ll meet someone who will reciprocate my love.”

I could tell my dad was okay with this, but not my mom. “Mom, you can come with me while I pick out a place to stay.” I hoped that might make my leaving a little easier for her, but I wasn’t sure. Sooner or later, I’ll be on my own.

Mom and I made arrangements to leave on Friday before starting my new job on Monday. Dad thought I should have taken a few more days to have time to look for an apartment. I knew that Mom would find the apartment. That way, I have assured anything I would have found might not meet her approval.

Monday morning, while I went to work, mom went apartment hunting. In the evening, over dinner, She would tell me what she looked at and why it wasn’t suitable for me.

“Mom, you might want to look at bigger apartments. Check out those apartments in that new condominium that they were advertising.”

Two days later, she told me she found an apartment that she thought would be okay. That evening after dinner, we drove to the condominium. It was an old school that was converted into flats. She had a big smile on her face, so I agreed to go and look at the apartment.

Walking into the building, the thoughts of my old high school returned. There was a small foyer and then steps to the second floor. I followed mom as we turned right and followed the hall to the apartment. There were two apartments, and mom walked to the last apartment. She was smiling all the time like she had a secret. She unlocked the door and walked in. I thought that was strange, She had the keys, and there wasn’t a Realtor here.

“What do you think?’

I walked around. There were two bedrooms, a living room, and a large kitchen. The windows reminded me of the windows in my old classroom. I think all of the schools followed the same pattern.

There was a bathroom off of the kitchen; I think it was part of the original restrooms. There was an outside door at the end of the hall.

“Well, What do you think?”

I looked at Mom. There was no way I would say no. “I think it’s great.”

The smile I got was worth any small lie.

By the end of the week, Mom had bought furniture and had it delivered, and on Saturday, I moved to my new apartment. Mom said I would need a few odds and ends, and she would stay the week. What she didn’t tell me was Dad was planning on driving over.

I gave her some money for shopping. I wanted her to cook my first dinner in my apartment. It had to have the smell of her cooking.

Dad arrived on the following Friday, and he had the rest of my clothing and a letter from Karl. They were expecting their first child. If it were a boy, he would name him Karl Marco. I smiled when I read his letter.

Monday, Mom and Dad left to return home. I was on my own.