Bk 3 - Chapter 13 - Chuck

Chuck

Have you ever stopped to wonder if you let life pass you by? I've had thirteen years to wonder about that. I thought I wanted freedom. I thought I wanted to be single. But what do I have to show for it? A big, fat zero. I thought the world was my oyster back then. I rode the waves of freedom, going everywhere and doing everything I ever wanted. But it seems so hollow now, looking back on it.

Before I left, I had used some of our savings to buy a bike. I didn't take all of it, I'm not that big of a jerk. I knew without me around it would be hard on her, so I left some back-up money for Roberta. There, I said her name. I had ignored it and them for so long, that I convinced myself I had forgotten. I made myself into a different man. One she wouldn't recognize.

I wanted to be unshackled. As soon as we started having kids, I felt a big noose around my neck, tightening. Roberta would never have understood. She adored them. I knew they were in good hands.

I stashed the bike at a frien