Free The True Father by Steven Anderson Law Page A

personal life is none of your business.”
    Â Â  I surprised myself with this one, and I could tell by the irritated look on his face that he didn't appreciate the response.
    Â Â  “Interesting attitude,” he said. “The Dean never mentioned that.”
    Â Â  I studied his antagonizing glare and felt an instant distaste for him, the firm, and the job. I no longer felt a sense of challenge or accomplishment. There was no evidence of prestige that I had expected from a metropolitan accounting firm. And the camaraderie and respect between coworkers, especially Kyle Bennett, was nonexistent. At once I felt compelled to escape this feeling of emotional bondage, to let loose of everything that kept me from experiencing the new fire that burned inside my head and my heart.
    Â Â  I stood from the chair and leaned forward, and he appeared to stop breathing as I rested my hands on his desk. “You know something else the Dean didn't tell you about me?”
    Â Â  He didn't answer, but returned a glare as if we were in a pistol duel.
    Â Â  I continued. “I'm sure the Dean didn't tell you that I don't waste my time dealing with small people.” 
    Â Â  Then I pointed a finger at him. “And let me tell you something else! I didn't know my father very well, but I do know one thing about him. He had more heart than you'll ever have. Too much to sit in some high-backed chair and throw his weight around, insulting people in the process. Kyle, you need to get a life. And while you're out finding it, I'll be out living mine.”
    Â Â  I'm sure he felt a cool breeze as I slammed the door on my way out, but it could not have been as fresh as the air in my lungs as I grabbed my personals and left Bennett and Dobbs for good.

Eleven

    Â Â 
   There was something strangely satisfying about packing everything I owned inside my Honda Accord and driving off into the countryside. Besides the Nike T-shirt, khaki shorts, and Doc Martin sandals I had on, I stuffed nearly all my clothing in three duffel bags and stacked them in the back seat. The few items on wire hangers, which consisted only of four button-up shirts, I hung on a travel hook behind the driver's seat. I decided to leave the suits and accessories, since I had already experienced enough about Spiro to know that even in church the most casual attire was acceptable. And besides a few other miscellaneous items I felt I couldn't live without, like books and photographs, I abandoned the rest for Mom to deal with. 
    Â Â  Breaking the news to her wasn't easy, and of course, according to her I was making one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Under different circumstances, having quit my job, I think she would have kicked me out of the house. But since I was leaving on my own initiative, everything was beyond her control and I sensed that this bothered her most. She asked me about money, wondering how I'd survive. I told her not to worry, that something would eventually work out. For God's sake, if she only knew. I'd never felt such pity for my mother before and it was not a good feeling, so the best I could do was give her a hug, tell her I loved her, and get on my way.
    Â Â  On my way out of town I stopped at Amber's apartment. My initial approach to her came with guilt, because for some reason I made it sound as if I was breaking up with her. Her response came with a tone of laughter, reminding me that we had never made a commitment to each other so there was nothing to break off. This is what I liked about her. I told her that she was a great friend, that I valued my relationship with her and I didn't want any hard feelings. She hugged me and told me that I obviously had something very important going on or I wouldn't be doing it. Her support was priceless.
    I arrived in Spiro a little before noon on Saturday, and as I crossed the bridge over Spiro Beach, I noticed some activity at the rodeo arena. There were