Home

    Ryan drives the long drive home, just like he does every day. It always seems to take longer coming home from work than it does going, even though he did both at peak rush hour. All he can figure is that the destination makes all the difference.
    Work is his refuge. People respect him, listen to him, and care what he thinks. He can tell someone what to do, or even ask for something, without it being questioned or scoffed at. He has a sense of meaning and a clear mission. He never wanted to be one of those guys who lives for his job; his father was one of those. As the days go by, he finds it harder and harder to say there is any place he would rather be.
    His marriage has been slowly deteriorating probably since before it was a marriage. He and Elena were happy at some point, but it was so long ago that he does not even know whether it counts anymore. At least for a while, when they were dating, they loved each other and spending time together more than anyone or anything else. Now, civility is at a premium some days.
    The children were a blessing at first, and they still are, but they changed everything. When Jeremy, their oldest, was born, Ryan died and Dad rose from his ashes. He does not mind being a father, he loves it, but he misses Ryan. He misses being able to do whatever he wants without worrying about how it will affect the lives of people who need him.
    He twists the key and the car goes silent. When he enters the house, he will hear more silence. There will be a, “Hey,” a few pleasantries, and little else until the children come home from their after-school activities. He really hates the sound of that door knob turning.