“Congrats!” Ricky said, half-heartedly, “You’ve moved a whole two hundred yards. Maybe in thirty years you might make it out of this town!”
Every person in the bar laughed.
“Now, Ricky, let’s not be to harsh on him, at least he has a house,” Gerome jumped in, “what’a you got? The shed behind your parents place you call The Man Cave?”
They all laughed again, a little louder.
“Thanks, Gerry.” I said.
“Don’t mention it. Ricky’s just about had enough for tonight anyhow. What are you still doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home with the missus?”
“Nope, I’m on my own tonight. She’s out picking curtains with her mother. I was tasked with getting new toilet seats.”
“Toilet seats?”
“Yeah. They’re in the back of the truck, but most people never think of that. You want someone else’s toilet seats in your new home?”
“Well, I guess that makes sense. You get the nice padded ones?”
“Oh, gosh, no. That’s all I need is dealing with that plastic coating sticking to my skin on a warm night in July. I’d rather—”
“Rather not talk about what happens bowl and you? Yeah, I can live with not knowing what materials stick to your backside.” Gerome chuckled.
I settled up my tab and headed back to the truck. I barely finished a pint and sat at the bar for a better portion of the evening, so it was safe to say that I was okay to drive.
It was a Friday night, and just about everyone from the plant was at the bar enjoying the start of the weekend.
My wife and I bought a house not far from the houses where we grew up. Ours is your typical small-town love story. She went off to school, I stayed back and took a job at the power plant. We saved up, had a modest wedding.
I know there’s a big world out there. I know there’s more to see beyond city walls, but there’s still much to be offered here. We are fortunate to still have much of our family and many of our friends followed the same path and work with me at the plant, otherwise they joined up with the family business in town. Gerome took over his father’s bar, and it’s never looked better.
This town survives on its people. We live in the village, we work in the industrial park, and we conduct our daily life in between. This town is a living, breathing organism.
So many people were quick to leave. That was never our plan. Our lives are here, our future is here. This is where we want to be… so, we bought a house.

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J.P. Polewczak

Broadcasting in text from the exotic lands of New Jersey. The absolute worst when it comes to self-deprecating humor. Analyst by day and in bed by night.

Latest posts by J.P. Polewczak (see all)

• Where is Home? - 29/07/16
• Crammed - 15/07/16
• DEEP WI-FI - 09/07/16
• Influenced Over the Edge - 18/06/16
• Drop by Drop - 06/06/16