Chapter 1: How to Save a Failing Marriage

It's been three months since I lost my job. Well, getting fired wasn't even the worst of it. I've been struggling to find another position since the incident and watching my wife and daughter suffer because of it has hurt me the most. It has gotten to the point where my wife refuses to speak to me. I can't stand it. I can tell my daughter has become hesitant on speaking to either us about the topic, the tension is unbearable. I keep thinking of how it was before my unemployment, my wife has been nothing but supportive and I want to set things right again. I am her husband after all.

It's Monday, so I trudge outside the front door in my slippers to grab the morning paper. I slip my burly hand into the mailbox and clasp my fingers around the roll of paper, somewhat soggy from the morning dew. Instinctively, I pull the roll out of the metal box when something else catches my eye. "More Mail?" I mutter to myself, raising a brow as I stick my hand further into the box to grab the strange letter. When I pull the envelope out, I brief the text along the front. My heart drops as I barrel into the house in disbelief.

"Honey! I got an interview this afternoon! A management position at an office nearby!" I holler, stomping through the house towards the kitchen. Before me stands a familiar figure, her long brown hair tasseled carelessly in a ponytail. She turns around elegantly before shining a smile. I smile I haven't seen in so long. A whimsical feeling rises through my chest and flushes into my cheeks at the sight.

"That's... wonderful darling!" She beams, holding a small porcelain mug tightly in her hands. It's been so long since she's been this tender with me. It feels almost surreal, a dream I never want to see end.

"You better clean yourself up, you can't go in for an interview in well... Those." She notions down to my slippers. I chuckle before wrapping my toned arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"I won't let you down, Marcia. I won't let Emi down either." I whisper in her ear alongside my embrace. I feel her gracile arms cling around my sides as she lets out a sigh of relief.

"I never doubted you, Darwin. I love you, but you really should get ready." Marcia laughs as she's being gently crushed under my weight. I step back with a grin outstretched ear to ear and hurry myself to freshen up.

In my 37 years, I never would have thought situating my family in Osaka, Japan would have lead to this disaster. My motivations for moving this far from our hometown in San Francisco were because of a high paying offer at a tech company in Japan. However, the company went bankrupt and all their workers were forced to be laid off. Luckily, Marcia's parents are from Japan and grew up here. It doesn't feel so lonely having some family around. I yawn and glance down at my watch. I'm standing on the edge of a crosswalk now.

The time reads 11:00am and I need to be there in twenty minutes. I pace forward with the chirp of the crosswalk, a slight spring in my step to accompany my jester grin. My hands can't seem to stop fiddling with my tie and dark, freshly trimmed beard. I wouldn't like to think of myself as conventionally attractive since but those daily trips to the gym seem to be doing wonders. Tall, olive skinned and toned, what more could people want right?

I reach the office ten minutes early. My gut begins to twist in anticipation as I peer up at the colossal building Infront of me. Its daunting rows of windows that shoot up to the sky taunt me as I look upwards. I truly look puny in their reflection. As I push through the glass doors, I'm greeted by a woman in a suit and lead up the elevator to a higher floor where I am interviewed. When I leave the building I couldn't be happier.

I grab my flip phone from my pocket and dial up Marcia.

"I got the job! It pays ridiculously well and we'll even be able to send Emi to that private school you were nagging me about!" My eyes gleam as I break the news. "This is our big break."

"Really? I'll let Emi know when she gets back home!" She says enthusiastically.

"Yeah and about that vacation to the Bahamas you were mentioning-" I begin but my tone suddenly drops as I peer to my left.

"Honey? Are you there?" Marcia beckons worriedly over the pixelated voice call.

I don't reply, my gaze still fixated on the crosswalk to my left. I squint, trying to make sense of what I see in the glistening midday sun. A school girl walking across the street. But that's not the part that caught my eye. It's the semi truck heading right for her.

I drop my phone and leap towards her in a flash. I feel my weight smash into the girl's as she stumbles out of view. The trucks horn screeches in my ears causing them to ring. It's lights flash in my eyes as the heat rising from the grill sears against my skin before I feel myself being propelled into the air before plummeting onto the asphalt meters away. I feel the presence of passerby's huddle around my broken body. Pain tears through my body and blood spatters off my lips with every shallow breath I take. The uncomfortable taste of iron floods my tongue.

"I'm sorry, Marcia. Emi." I mumble, fighting for air as I get swallowed into darkness.