Page 3 of More Than Anything

They both turned and looked at Avery. “What’s up your ass?” Marty snorted.

Avery sneered at them. “Just wondering why a couple of pussies can’t pack their own damn lunches.”

“Yeah, well, you let me know when you have a woman to pack your lunch for you and I’ll dance on the table naked,” Robert snapped. “You see I’m really worried about that possibility, huh?”

“Fuck you.” Avery shoved a potato chip into his mouth, his eyes hardening.

They kept eating and ignoring him. It got harder to be there every day. And just when he didn’t think it could get any harder, she walked right past the breakroom window. “Ah, look at that! Mrs.Shannon Holcomb. My oh my, she’s a looker, isn’t she, Avery?” Marty cooed.

“Yeah, Avery, she’s a real beauty. But you would know, wouldn’t you?” Robert goaded.

Avery just picked up his lunch, threw it in the trash, and headed back to the floor. Ten minutes later, he was standing at his station, torch in hand, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Ben standing there, suit and tie spotless. God, could the day get any worse? “Yeah? You need something?”

“I’d like a word with you in my office.” Ben turned and headed back toward his ivory palace, and Avery turned off the torch and followed, wondering what kind of fresh hell was about to descend on him. As soon as he’d stepped into the office, Ben turned to him. “Shut the door and have a seat.”

Avery took the chair nearest the door. “I’m your older brother. You don’t get to order me around. What’s this about?”

“Here, I’m your boss, so I get to do whatever the hell I please. It’s about your attitude. Everybody’s complaining about it, and frankly, I’m sick of hearing about it.”

It took him two seconds to get his pissed-off on. “My attitude? Why doesn’t everybody just stay off my back?”

“Nobody’s on your back,” Ben countered.

“Yeah? I can’t go in the breakroom without somebody making wisecracks. It’s not funny, at least not to me. Never has been,” Avery muttered.

“Is this about Shannon?” Ben asked.

“It’s ALL about Shannon!” Avery shouted. “It’s all about Shannon, and me and Shannon, and you and Shannon! And how she was mine and now she’s yours! How the fuck can you even ask me that?”

“You need to calm down or I’m going to have to send you home,” Ben warned.

“Then why the fuck don’t you send me home? You’ve taken everything else from me. Why not that too? Take my job! Hell, take my fucking life! It’s miserable anyway!” Avery was screaming so loudly that other employees out on the floor were staring.

“Why the hell do you think she’s with me instead of you? I’ll tell you why! Because you’ve got no ambition, no drive, and no sense! God damn it, Avery, do you really think Mom would want us at each other’s throats like this?” Ben shouted.

“Well, hell, I don’t know, little brother. Did she approve of you fucking my WIFE?” Avery yelled.

“She’s not YOUR wife! She’s MY wife!” Ben yelled, shaking with rage.

“Well, she sure as hell wasn’t when you started fucking her, now was she?” Avery dropped his voice and glared at his brother. “You know what? Fuck you. Fuck this job. Fuck it all. I’m leaving. You can give it to one of those limp dicks out there who have their wives pack their goddamn lunches. I quit.” Avery turned and yanked the door open, then strode out into the shop and almost ran headlong into Shannon. “Excuse me,” he mumbled and brushed past her.

“Avery?” Her soft voice got to him every time. “Avery, we’re family. We should at least try to get along.”

He spun and let out an exasperated sigh. “We’re not family, Shannon. You and that husband of yours are just people I’m unfortunate enough to know.” Without another glance, Avery practically stomped his way out of the building and straight to his car.

There had to be a way for him to get out of Clarksville. He’d had all he could take.

* * *

“Isit mine or is it not?” Avery snapped into the phone.

His mother sighed. “It’s yours. But what do you think you’re going to do with it?”

“I’m getting the hell out of here.” As they talked, Avery was packing bags, boxes, anything he could find to stuff things into. “I’m leaving here and I’m not coming back.”

“But honey, you’ve got a job here and…”

“No. I quit.”

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