Looking Beneath the Surface

The pounding in his temple and behind his right eye was draining him of energy. He took another sip of his lukewarm coffee, hoping the little shot of caffeine would help. He hated coffee that wasn’t hot and almost spit it out, but choked down the liquid and prayed his gag reflex stayed in check. He glanced at the clock on the wall and had no idea how he was going to be able to hold out until 5:00 when he closed down the office.

Trevor yanked open the top desk drawer and fumbled around until he found the bottle he needed most and opened the lid. He sighed when he saw there was just one of the prescription pills left. He threw it in his mouth and washed it down with the last of the nasty coffee, closing his eyes for a minute and took a few deep breaths.

“Hopefully this shit works and I can get payroll done,” he mumbled to himself. He looked out the window to the bustling shop as all five bays were filled with cars or trucks and the men worked hard to fix them.

Trevor went back to the computer, smiling a little to himself when he thought about how he was growing his uncle’s business. He resumed typing, trying to ignore the pounding in his head, cursing migraine headaches and the medicine he relied on to help ease the pain. He was thankful that the meds worked most of the time and he didn’t need to go to the hospital for IV meds much anymore. But he knew when he called in for a refill, the doctor would ask how he was doing with easing the stress in his life. He knew he wouldn’t be able to answer that truthfully.

Trevor sighed again, flexed his right hand, feeling the ache again before he changed screens and opened another window to calculate hours for another one of the techs. He jumped when his phone rang and saw the picture of his uncle on the screen and answered it.

“Hey, everything ok?” Trevor asked.

“Dad!! We have new neighbors!!” He heard his son excitedly yell into the phone.

Trevor couldn’t help but smile at his son’s excitement, “Oh we do?”

“Yeah! The big moving truck pulled up a little while ago and three huge guys started taking stuff in. Then this other car came-a really fancy car-and this lady got out. Dad, she is REALLY pretty! Maybe you can date her!” the little boy exclaimed.

Trevor flinched, “Bud, we talked about this. I will date someone who is right for us both. She has to be more than pretty.”

”I know Dad, but Cassidy even thinks she is super pretty! She says that she looks just like that one princess in the movie where her mom turns into a bear and they talk funny. She has long red hair and it’s so cool!” the little voice added.

“Ty buddy, just let the movers do their job and make sure you and Cassidy stay out of their way ok? Can I talk to Uncle Joe please?” Trevor asked, rubbing his head.

“Ok Dad. I promise we will just watch. Here is Uncle Joe. I love you Dad!” Tyler said.

“I love you too Ty,” he repeated and waited for his uncle to get on the phone.

“Already has the wedding planned, doesn’t he?” Joe asked with a smile on his lips.

“Shit, can you not give him any more ideas?” Trevor groaned.

Laughing, “Sure. But she is a looker, I’ll give him that. He has good taste, nice legs, long curly red hair, great boo-.”

“STOP! Shit, Did Tyler hear you say that?”

“What do you take me for? I walked to the garage to talk to you. Ty and Cassidy are sitting on a blanket watching the movers bring in boxes and I got an eye on them. April ran a few errands so I’m on ankle biter duty,” Joe replied.

“Sorry Uncle Joe. I’m a little on edge. I just want to get the payroll done and get home.”

“Another headache, Trev?” the older man asked gently.

“Yeah, not as bad as the others. I took a pill a few minutes ago and it’s starting to subside. I will get a couple of sodas with my lunch and be ok by the time I get home,” Trevor assured him.

“Ok. I’ll have dinner ready when you get home. Just grilled fish tonight…”

“Thanks Uncle Joe. I’ll see you later,” Trevor replied, hanging up and mumbling, “Just what I needed, my six year old trying to set me up.”

Trevor shut off his computer several hours later, waved to his guys that were still hanging around and went to his truck, after telling the GM to lock up.

“You got it Trev. Enjoy your weekend!” he waved.

Trevor drove home in silence, thankful to not hear anything after an afternoon of car noises and tools clanking. He turned on his street to see several cars at his new neighbors house and a few people milling around. If he didn’t feel like total shit he would go over and introduce himself and welcome them to the street. But at that point he couldn’t trust himself not to vomit at their feet with his head so messed up from the migraine. He pulled into the driveway and turned his truck off. He took the rubber band out of his hair and hoped that would help some of the pressure he was feeling by having his hair pulled back. He sighed, picked up his travel mug, got out of the vehicle and glanced at the people wandering around. He knew he should say something, but just couldn’t do it that night. He started walking towards the house when he saw his son and best friends’ daughter run up to him and jump in his arms.

“Hey Dad!!” Tyler hugged him tightly, “I’m sorry that your head hurts, I helped Uncle Joe get dinner ready so we can eat as soon as you sit down.”

Trevor felt his heart clench at how thoughtful his son was and hugged him tightly, “Thanks Buddy.”

“Uncle Trev, Can I have a hug before I go? Mommy is waiting for me,” Cassidy asked sweetly.

Trevor put Tyler down and scooped her up, “Of course Sweet girl. You come over tomorrow and we’ll try out the new pool slide ok?”

She squealed, causing Trevor’s head to pound as she squeezed him, “Thanks Uncle Trev! Bye!”

He put her down after kissing the top of her head and Tyler ran down the street with her and dropped her at their yard, hugged her mom and ran back as Trev made his way to the door, not noticing his audience from next door.