Short Story Saturday

Short Story today.


The rain pattered on the window at a consistent, almost maddening rate. The leaves of the trees drooped low from the water that clung to each leaf before falling to the ground and great globs. It always rained in this part of the city.

Jacob Ingall sat in his apartment watching raindrops navigate from the top of his window pane to the bottom. He had lost his job a few weeks ago and had spent the last few days watching the days come and go. At the age of 47 he was unemployed with no skills. Having worked at the plant for over a decade and a half he knew nothing but factory life.

His parents had both died recently. First his mother of cancer, and his father soon after of heart failure. The family said he died of loneliness. Jacob was inclined to agree. He had no brothers or sisters. No wife or family to speak of, he was always the black sheep.

He now sat alone in his apartment. The last of his savings drained into a noodle soup he bought himself at the super market down the street. Soon his monthly bills would come in. And then the trouble would start.

The world seemed so wonderful to Jacob. A month ago he thought nothing could go wrong. He had his health, a decent paying full-time job. A nice apartment with cheap rent and facilities. Now he was on the verge of homelessness.

He sat at the window staring at the darkening sky, bottle of pills in one hand, a glass of water in the other. The cap was already off the brand new bottle. Jacob took a deep breathe and peeled back the safety seal and plucked out the cotton.

The phone rang.

Jacob set the bottle down on a table placing the glass next to it.

He picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi is this Jacob Ingall?" The voice on the other line said.

"Speaking."

"Jacob this is Ariakie Tech calling. You applied for a position on her factory assembly line?"

"Yes. I did."

"Well, you're a little overqualified for the work you applied to."

"I see." Jacob swallowed hard.

"Would you be ok with a management position at the same facility?"

"I have very little management experience."

"That's ok, we'll put you through a week long workshop at our head office before you would start. That is, if you're interested."

"I'm interested."

"Great!" The voice on the other line said. "The next workshop isn't for a week. In the meantime why don't you head down to the factory this upcoming Monday for a tour to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and the people you'll be working with."

There was silence.

"Jacob?"

"Yes. Sorry. I have a bit of a headache so you'll have to forgive me. I'll head over to the factory Monday."

"Great. We look forward to working with you, Jacob."

"Thank you."

Jacob hung up the phone. Took a pill from the bottle and washed it down with the glass of water. He recapped the Tylenol and sat in his arm chair and watched the rain, a smile at the corners of his mouth.