After one night on a megabus, three nights on Amy�s couch, and two more on a $20-a-day bed in a hostel, my decision to resign rather than campaign in church was starting to come back to bite me. Not only was the money I saved from various grants was dwindling faster than I envisioned, but finding a new job was difficult. Turns out 2/3rds of a law degree ain�t worth that much in the real world and all my supposed principles and values couldn�t be bartered for food.

�The way I see it, I�ve got three options. I can either return to Harvard and complete my law degree. Only thing is is that I missed the registration deadline and would have to enroll in whatever classes weren�t full. Alternatively, I could just go home to Texas. But the prospect of moving back home to live with my mom feels like admitting failure,� I glance up from the plate of eggs and toast before me to see newlyweds Isaac and Elvia grinning back at me. Although I�ve known the couple for a few years, I didn�t think to reach out to them for a place to crash until I grew sick of the hostel. They were eager to accept me into their home once I did and treated me like a younger brother. �Then again, I guess sleeping on your air mattress isn�t exactly winning either.�

�I bet it beats a hostel though! And,� Elvia raises a fork full of eggs,� you get free food here. Only thing I want in exchange is that you promise me you�ll stop running away.�

�I�m not running from anything, El. I�m just trying to do the right thing.�

�I know you think you are, Jonathan, but let�s be real here. You go to Harvard. You were working on a Presidential campaign. People like us,� she pauses to motion to her husband, and then to me, �don�t get this kind of opportunity very often � we don�t get a seat at the table the way you�ve got one right now.�

�Fuck the table.�

�See, that�s what I�m talking about,� she says as Isaac reached across the table for her plate. He stacked it atop his own and carried the two to the kitchen sink. �I hear what you�re saying about your faith and religion and having principles � I get that. But what if they come to you and offer you your job back? If they offer to put you in a different locale, would you go back?�

�..No.�

�Exactly. You need to realize the opportunity you�ve got here, Jonathan. You can do a lot of good in the world if you learn to just play the fucking game.�

As she spoke, I simply nodded silently and watched her husband instead of maintain eyecontact with Elvia. Isaac returned to the table and placed a cup of tea infront of his wife. I can�t say whether it was watching them interact, sensing the deep love the two of them shared, or listening to her honest advice that ate at me more.

I wish the game had a pause button.

I'm sorry :| That was unintentional
» AmbyrJayde on 2013-04-12 02:40:39

That feeling when you realize you have to play by the rules of the system.
» randomjunk on 2013-04-13 12:57:50

The game doesn't have a button and sadly, sometimes the game will eat at you till there is nothing left but a shell
» Nuttz on 2013-04-13 02:22:56

ha. i laughed at fuck the table though.
» thaitanic on 2013-04-13 05:58:26

Really? Why not?

Thanks for the well wishing!
» middaymoon on 2013-05-03 01:45:08

It sounds like you went on ahead like the game was paused anyway.

Imagine me wearing a Daenerys dress for my wedding, that'd be TIGHT.
» Amelie on 2013-05-06 01:15:23

Nah, that was kind of exciting. When I saw the giant, gaping maw of the sea yawning wide to swallow me whole, and everyone around me was flipping their shit, I must admit that my #1 emotion was excitement.
» Zanzibar on 2013-05-11 12:09:06

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