Alex

I often thought about how I should feel happy, but yet I just don't. It seemed my life was in a miserable loop; wake up, go to work, come home, repeat, and then two days at the end of the week which I spend often alone and bored. Because it was just me I had quite a hefty amount saved up, but for what? I had nothing to spend it on. I found it ironic that most men complain about having to spend most of their pay checks on their families, but that was almost the opposite for me, I had no one to spend money on, but I wish I did. More than anything I longed for someone to hold at night.

As I sat there thinking over the low mumble over the TV time began to pass and it was already 10 PM. My eyes began feeling heavier and heavier. I just sat there thinking until I eventually fell asleep on my recliner.

I quickly shot up quickly from my sound sleep, startled by the loud and sudden noise. I looked around as I gained my senses, and then the sound rang again. It was my doorbell. I suppose I get so little guests ever I forgot what it sounded like.

"Who could be here at this time?" I whispered to myself under my breath looking at the time, it was 11:29 PM. I was asleep for only about an hour.

I went to the door, opening it, eyes opening too in surprise, taking but a few seconds to recognize this person standing before me. It was my old friend Alex. I haven't seen Alex since high school, we had to part ways when we headed towards different colleges, we haven't really spoken since.

"Hey Ryan..." he spoke softly, the rain beating down on his large rain coat, his nose bright red and his warm breath leaking from his mouth into the cold night air.

"Alex?!" I was honestly surprised to see him, especially at this time in this weather.

"Can... I come in?" he asked softly, his words as sad and cold as the air around him.

"Yeah, sure..." I opened the door wide and welcoming, Alex walked right in and sat right down on the couch. His head lowered as if he did something terribly embarrassing and felt ashamed because of it.