Reginald Gamache

Every morning is a struggle for Reginald to get out of bed. As soon as his eyes open at 6 am he is disappointed that he must begin another day, in his mediocre life. Reginald married his high school sweetheart, and has never been with any other woman. Although, he loves his wife, he feels like he walks through his days as a zombie. He avoids looking in the mirror because he is afraid of what he will see; a middle-aged, balding man, with a huge protruding beer belly. Only thirty years ago, Reginald was any women’s dream. He had a luscious head of brown hair and a chiseled body that made the ladies swoon. Reginald and his wife have three children, all sullen teenagers. His children despise him. They don’t see the loving active father they once knew, but a depressed man who always says no.
He begins his day, just like every other day, with a shower and a grey suit, which was once a nice suit, but is now wrinkled and worn. A bowl of Raisin Bran, and a cup of decaffeinated coffee, that is always just a bit too watery. He heads out to his 1976 red Mustang, his pride and joy; it is the only thing that allows Reginald to remember the good ol’ days. The twenty minute drive to work every day consists of heavy rock, loud enough to drown his thoughts. He arrives at work and finds his parking spot next to the entrance. The parking spots aren’t designated, but Reginald arrives early enough to claim it.
Reginald walks into his building and patiently waits for the elevator instead of walking the three flights to his floor. He has given up on exercise. Once he reaches his floor, a small stubby man behind the front desk shouts, “Hey Reggie!” Every day, it’s the same, doesn’t he know by now that Reginald hates being called Reggie. A once kind and funny man, Reginald now doesn’t have time into interact. He passes his subordinates, all who stare up in fear, and makes his way to his huge office with a view. Not ever does he say hello to any of them. Reginald is the director of his department. A job that he has worked extremely hard for, but a job that has made him the man he hates to be.
His whole life, Reginald dreamed of being on top. During University, he was always the one to beat; top of his class. Now that he is right where he wanted to be, Reginald realizes it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. He has no time to spend with his wife and family, no time to exercise and no time to enjoy his life. The day ends the same way, usually not until almost 8pm. He gets back into his red Mustang and looks forward to spending the evening with his family.
The drive home is always quicker in the evening, there is less traffic. He pulls up to his three-story Victorian mansion, and parks his car in the four car garage. Reginald opens the front door, to hear his children bickering and yelling and his wife gabbing on the phone, and remembers why he hates his life.