I ended up at Marlene’s.
It’s a diner on Cutler Avenue that Sarah and I used to go to every Sunday when we were first married. Cracked red vinyl booths. Coffee that tastes like it’s been on the burner since the Reagan administration. And a waitress named Marlene, about sixty-five, who somehow remembers everybody’s order from years ago.
I slid into a booth by the window.
Marlene came over with the pot and poured without asking.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. You look like somebody stole your dog.”
“Worse.”
“Wife?”
“Already lost one of those.”
She gave me a look over her glasses. “Job?”
I nodded.
She stopped pouring. “Oh, honey. Today?”
“About an hour ago.”
“What happened?”
So I told her. Not everything. Just enough.
When I finished, Marlene set the coffee pot down on my table and stared at me.
“He fired you because you helped somebody?”
“Pretty much.”
She shook her head slowly. “Then maybe getting fired is the first good thing that’s happened to you today.”
“That’s a strange definition of good.”
“Sometimes people do you a favor by showing you exactly who they are.” She picked the pot back up. “Now you know who he is. That’s worth something.”
She walked away.
I sat with that for a long time.
Maybe she was right. But philosophy doesn’t pay tuition.
I opened my laptop. My personal one, not the company’s. Gavin still had that. I pulled up job sites. Marketing director. Account strategist. Brand manager. Senior creative lead.
Every listing looked possible and impossible at the same time. I had experience. Good numbers. Clients who liked me.
But I was thirty-eight, divorced, supporting two daughters. The luxury of “finding myself” had expired a long time ago.
I needed a paycheck. Fast.
I started rewriting my résumé right there in the booth.
Thirty minutes went by.
Then my phone rang.
The agency’s main number.
I stared at it. Let it ring out.
It rang again. I ignored it again.
Then a text.
CHRIS PLEASE ANSWER. IT’S NINA. IT’S IMPORTANT.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.