It felt as if something had finally given way, released him after a long tug-of-war. Whatever had been driving Joe, pulling him to Bartlett, and Burger World, and Shelly, had let go. He was free again, free from a binding that he hadn't fully recognized until that day.
He hitchhiked back into town and walked through the downpour to Burger World. Still shirtless, he strolled into the restaurant and quit his job. He said goodbye to Mike and Mr. Stevens and his friends, and joyfully told Mr. Gurney to 'f**k off.' With each move, each word, he felt better and better, more and more relieved. Grinning, he ambled out the door and back into the rain. The managers were raging, and he wasn't allowed to quit without giving a week's notice, but Joe didn't care.
He went to Rocky's apartment, pa
