Manual Labor

News... She had news... Big news...

"I don't always cry." she insisted, sitting up in the center of the bed. He gave her a look she was sure meant 'Of course you do.' But she wasn't about to argue with a look. "Alright, I promise. I won't cry."

Derick ran a hand through his dark blonde hair. He sighed. Stood and walked across the room. Not good signs. He rested his hands on the top of the dresser and stared at her assortment of generic brand lotions and body sprays. "You know I've been applying for different jobs."

Kelly nodded. She knew he'd wanted a new job ever since she'd met him. She'd even helped him look and apply for places in the hopes of maybe getting at least a second job. They could use the income. Especially now...

"Well. I heard back from one." Derick knew she'd be excited about that. He hoped that would help soften the blow. Putting it in the light of a new job, better pay.  It worked in movies and tv shows.  ... At least, he thought it did.  Most of the time...  In fact the more Derick thought about it the more he could feel that cold tightening knot in his stomach.  It sent a dreading chill up his spine and made it feel like his hair was turning white.  As Kelly leaned forward on the bed with a surprised and hopeful, "Oh my gosh! Really? Which one? What's it for?" Derick felt the feeling spread into his throat and block all words.

When he turned to face her all he could say to her was a brief, "It's like a manual labor type job."

Kelly blinked at that and tilted her head like a kitten might, "Manual labor... Like... Building houses?"  She thought that might be good for him.  He liked using his hands, and tasks like that always came easily to him. Plus she rather liked the idea of him coming home all tanned and sweaty and dusty and...

But Derick shook his head, "Nope.  More like... like... Like lots of running and exercise stuff."

He saw her eyes blink and narrow a little. She was getting suspicious. God, Derick just didn't want to deal with a breakdown right now. If she would just stop asking questions...! But Kelly couldn't stop. She couldn't figure out what he was talking about. None of the jobs they'd applied for involved physical fitness. At least, not the ones she knew of. So what was it...?