How⦠how could this be? I had it. I really thought I had it.
But no. Itās over. I lost the match. There are no repeats. Itās never coming back. Itās over.
Just like everything else in my life.
Five years ago, I never thought it would be this way. I never thought Iād be working twelve hours a day in accounts receivable, crunching numbers and watching my soul erode like the loneliest ocean pier. I never thought my wife would leave me for her pilates instructor. I never thought sheād take the kids. I never thought Iād let a thirteen-year-old boy beat me in Call of Duty
He wasnāt even playing fair. He must have been cheating. Like Marsha.
Why do I put up with this? I have a degree from Pace University. I drive a Dodge Stratus. He is thirteen. Iām better than him. Iām going to respawn and try again. Right now.
He⦠he teabagged me. His soldier squatted down and stuck its virtual crotch in my soldierās virtual mouth. Then danced on my body. I guess itās only fitting. Life has been teabagging me for years.
Are you there, Marsha? Itās me. Ted. No⦠no, please donāt hang up. I promise Iāll stop crying. Please. I just want to hear your voice for a secā you hung up. You hung up on me. Marsha. I love you.
Do you remember when we first met, Marsha? Oh, how weād laugh. Weād giggle and dream of the future, of three-car garages and summer vacations and two beautiful golden retrievers. Were you dreaming of your pilates instructor? What was his name? Eduardo. What the hell kind of name is Eduardo? Was it worth it, Marsha? Was it worth us?
Maybe Iāll play more video games. At least there Iām in control.
Why? What kind of God would put me on this earth just to be slaughtered by an endless wave of thirteen-year-old boys? What kind of woman would leave me for a pilates instructor? Who even does pilates anymore?
Is this a test? Am I being tested? If this is a test, I failed, okay? I failed and I donāt deserve anything. I donāt deserve to live in this world anymore. I donāt deserve Marsha. I donāt deserve Call of Duty. I donāt deserve those golden retrievers.
ā¦Maybe one more match.
Please kill me.
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