Author: R. Fast /
Labels:
Creative Writing
I was having one of those days, you know, where almost everything seems to go wrong. I almost lit the house on fire this morning trying to put out the toaster with my weekly expense report. Then I ran over the neighbor kids new bike, much to the annoyance of his parents (they hate me). Rush hour seemed longer than usual as I was stuck behind a semi burning oil. I spilled my coffee on the last remaining hint of paperwork I needed to turn in in order to keep my job and they were doing construction right outside my office window until three, and I get out at four. So don't take this the wrong way when I say that I was moments away from jumping off of the nearest bridge.
However, it all changed when I found that well. After having my car towed for missing tags I decided to walk home and forgo trying to call a cab. Feeling my luck was at the end of it's rope I opted for a nice stroll through the park rather than taking the main drag back to my house. It was a couple miles down the path and hidden behind a cluster of flowering bushes, it seemed a little unkempt to say the least. It was surrounded by plants and flowers and covered in vines. It smelled a little like rotted moss and cold water. I spied a small stone bench hidden amongst some ivy and decided to hide myself from the world, at least for a while.
I sat and listened to the breeze and the birds for some time, fumbling in my pockets as I imagined the horror of the rest of my evening. Would my house still be there? What else could possible go wrong? Without further thinking I grasped the loose change in my pocket, started for the well and tossed it in. I could hear it ringing off the cold stone and plunking hard into the still water. A strong cool breeze blew up and ruffled my hair as I sighed and turned to leave. I wished for a perfect day, no, a perfect life,one without misfortune, sorrow, or discomfort.
I took the long way home, happy to find my house still standing. The night had grown cold but, miraculously, I had managed to turn the furnace on at some point in my morning struggle. It felt cozy and reassuring to be home. I dropped my things and hobbled off to bed. Once there the day seemed to fall away like dead skin. The bed felt warm and soft and I almost felt like I was sinking into it. As I drifted off to sleep that moment at the well echoed through my mind. I heard the soft plinking of the coins hitting the water once more and every trouble lifting away as I fell into a deep slumber.
To Be Continued...
