Short Story: "All He Ever Wanted"

All He Ever Wanted

Bob Hess believed there was always room at the top.  He believed it as he struggled through college, paying his own way pumping gas and selling motor oil.  He believed it as he got his first real job and a first real suit and went to work as a salesman for a credit-reporting agency.  He believed it as he competed with others for that coveted place at the top – the number one sales leader – the guy to chase.  He believed it as he came close the year he competed directly for the number one spot with upstart Sheri Ackerman – she who is young, pretty, driving a fancy sports car, owner of her own townhouse. They exchanged first and second place throughout the year, and despite all of Bob’s best efforts, Sheri surpassed him in the end, setting a company record. At the annual convention she was mobbed by salespeople from all over the world wanting to know how she did it.  Perhaps it was her talents, but more likely her competitive spirit. Without Bob’s efforts, Sheri would have never worked so hard. She was better at getting to the top than Bob Hess ever was.  No one clamored to ask Bob how he came in second.  No one cares about the silver medal winner.  Sheri herself didn’t even care about the gold, leaving the company shortly thereafter for marriage, children, a mini-van, and house in the suburbs full of Little Tikes toys.

Bob Hess never came close again, something his wife Yvonne liked to rub in.  He liked to think his marriage was solid, but it was solid in the way butter is – hard when things are cold and soft when things are warm, but in general just an oily mess posing as something else.  Bob and Yvonne believed in their daughter, Rachel, their only one, but Rachel was definitely her mother’s daughter, never failing to laugh at Yvonne’s snide comments about Bob, never once coming to the defense of her father.  Bob Hess learned long ago not to even try to compete.  He learned his lesson with Sheri.  That alone was constant fodder for Yvonne, culminating in the most cutting remark ever, one delivered at a neighbor’s outdoor barbecue, the time she said, “Bob just wants to be the hero of his own life,” and everyone laughed. Even Rachel, who had snuck up to the table to grab another cookie before dinner. Bob Hess was beginning to believe that the top was only for true winners, and there was nothing about his life or his family or his surroundings that provided any way for Bob to win.

Bob Hess never stopped working for the agency.  He survived downsizing, taking commission cuts, and whatever else necessary.  He watched as every year more young and new salespeople competed, making it to the top.  Because of budget cuts, the annual sales conferences became a thing of the past, so most of those at the top Bob never met face to face.  He waited out the days toward retirement, wondering what he could possibly do then?  Everything has been about the sale and what television shows are on and deflecting the latest barbs by his wife. 

Except for this. Bob Hess was a timbrophilist – a stamp collector. He was crazy about stamps – the way they felt, the history, the colors, the variety.  He had a treasured archived collection purchased solely with bonus checks he cashed without Yvonne ever seeing how much they were for.  He knew that his hard work had to count for something, and he thought this little breach was well earned and inconsequential.  He rationalized that someday he’d take Yvonne on a wonderful vacation, total surprise, with the money he would retrieve from selling the stamps.  That is, if he could ever part with them.  And if his relationship with Yvonne somehow took a turn for the better.  He never gave up on that dream.

Divorcing Yvonne never entered his mind. He would never do that to Rachel.

Rachel Hess went to a local college, living at home to save the expense of housing. This, of course, advised by Yvonne who reminded Rachel that her father was just a loser who couldn’t really afford to send her away to college.  That wasn’t so funny.  Rachel fell in love with Scott Cline, a fine young man she met her senior year, a winner, a guy’s guy, a gentleman and scholar, a fine family and future ahead.  Rachel had chosen well, despite the old adage that girls marry their fathers.  Bob Hess had always wanted more for Rachel than he had for himself, and was thrilled for her since Scott was obviously “the one” -- and even as he feared the empty nest she would leave and what it could mean for him.  Who would be the audience for Yvonne’s criticism?  Who would laugh at his expense with her?

A date was set and Bob Hess sat down with Rachel and Scott and made them a promise: I will pay all your wedding expenses. This is for you, from me.  This was gratefully accepted by the two young people, who immediately began to plan an expensive Hawaiian honeymoon with the money they would save by not paying for their own wedding.  Bob Hess was thrilled about that, too, since he had never had a real honeymoon with Yvonne and never the exotic vacation he kept on the back burner.  Just a trip to New York City.  Another to Washington D.C.  The obligatory trip to Disney World when Rachel was young.  Nothing special.  No Cancun.  No Paris.  No Alaskan cruise. Certainly no Hawaii.

When she found out later, Yvonne said she would never forgive him for putting them into debt over this wedding.

But there would be no debt.  A few weeks later Scott would come to Bob privately and ask how he was affording the wedding, that Rachel had concerns.  Bob told Scott of his plan to ease the future groom’s mind.

**

Bob Hess stepped out into the lobby of the church, the pant legs of his tux being a tad too long, but the white rose in his lapel, perfect.  His daughter Rachel came out of the bride’s room, dressed in a strapless sweetheart mermaid gown in misty tulle and lace, her auburn hair piled high and dotted with fresh flowers.  She gave Bob an odd smile and tears filled her eyes.  She took her father’s arm and, just before taking that first step down the aisle turned to him and said, “Daddy, Scott told me what you’ve done for us. I am so grateful.” Her voice cracked a little as she continued. “You have made all my dreams come true. I may be marrying Scott, but you will always be the best man I know.” With that the “Bridal March” began.  This time it wasn’t just for the bride, however; Bob Hess had found his room at the top. He had finally become the hero of his own life. 

And as he and Rachel walked up the aisle, friends and family looking on, there was only one thing on Bob Hess’s mind. He would file for divorce on Monday.