Everything Comes With A Price

Lately, I have had more I would like to record and filter through here than I have the time.

Tuesday, I woke up extra early and was on the road by 5:00 am. I need to drive almost three hours to Grand Rapids for a review at the plant with a customer. It poured during the first hour of the drive. On Monday, I put new All-Terrain tires on the Gladiator, which sure did come in handy on the wet roads.

I made it to Grand Rapids early. Then I found out one of the customer's tested positive in his hotel room for Covid. He spent all morning running around trying to find a place to confirm it. He got the results of the test at 12:30. It was also positive. The plant would not let him or any of his party enter. 

What was supposed to be a two-day trip to Grand Rapids turned into a wasted drive. I tried salvaging the even by texting Ava to see if she could slip away on short notice. Tuesday is usually her best opportunity.

The weather was clear and cool on the drive back. It isn't as fun making long drives when you are alone. I prefer my road trips with a companion. When I am alone, all I fixate on is my thoughts and getting to my destination.

I made it home by 4:00, and Ava said she would be over at 6:00. I picked up a light dinner for us at Noodle and Company, and we sat at the kitchen table, ate, and caught up. I understand Ava, probably better than she understands herself. At the very least, I see her from a different perspective.

Ava wants to be financially secure. I suggested hard work is part of the process, but she dismissed it. Ava feels hard work hasn't gotten her where she wants to be in the past. She sees others getting rich quickly and wants her share of the pie. Maybe it is my age speaking, but I don't think it works that way for most people. I don't think most people want to put in the effort to become rich.

Ava stays longer than she intends, then rushes off at the night's end after making plans to meet again.

Ava justifies her actions according to her thoughts. She is a master of cognitive dissonance. For example, Ava has this boyfriend who constantly buys her flowers (an activity she thinks is wasteful) and is always out buying her favorite foods to keep her happy, so she wants to be with him. He doesn't realize the best way to keep her comfortable and around is to just let her be herself. She certainly would have more respect for him.

Meanwhile, she slips away to see me when she can, admitting to having the best sex she has ever had with me. I can't help noticing a moral conflict there. At least for now, she rationalizes it away. I am just having sex with him and making money. It doesn't mean anything. Ava's boyfriend wouldn't see it the same way. Her actions will eventually get her caught. I don't see the guy dumping her, though. Instead, he will beg her to change, and without consequences, she will probably do it again.

He doesn't understand that. He has little relationship experience and is rooted in old ideas, while Ava is a textbook example of the modern woman. True, I am seeing things in a favorable light for me. However, I am also seeing things based on human nature and the odds. If Ava was older, or once a few more of her get-rich schemes don't pan out, Ava would hook up with someone like him because she would see it as her best bet for long-term security. For now, though, she still thinks she has time. 

If there is one thing I've learned, everything comes with a price.