The Chase

Jerry had never been the same since the accident. If he wasn't keeping busy he was thinking about it. So he kept himself by working, which meant he had to travel a lot. He had to travel a lot for his work and made his way to New York City quite often. He was just leaving the airport consuming his thoughts with work when a young guy walked up by Jerry and bumped into him and began to run. Confused, Jerry started to check his belongings and realised his phone was missing. He saw the young teenager running and weaving through the crowds. Without even thinking about it Jerry started to chase the kid. The teenager stole a cheap older flip-phone from Jerry. A type of phone that Jerry could easily replace, it wasn't essential to his work, but Jerry had other motives for chasing his phone. He was running after the kid with every fibre in his being to retrieve this cheap phone. The young boy that was being chased was quite confused. The reason that he would target business men such as Jerry was because he would usually get very expensive phones, which he didn't in this case, and because they normally give up after a while because they know they can replace it, but Jerry was not giving up. The kid was peeling in out of alley ways, hopping garbage cans, dodging taxi's, and every time he would look behind him Jerry would be right there gaining more and more distance. The kid was started to wonder that there might be expensive information on this phone. Jerry's heart had only been pumping this fast one other time. The accident. He started to think what it would be like if he lost this phone and started to run faster and faster. Jerry went back to that day when he lost everything. He thought about how it was before and how it is was now in that moment and was close to tears. He thought about how he already lost everything, he couldn't lose this phone, it was all he had left. As he came back to the present moment he realised he was in reaching distance of the teenager. He stretched his arm out and grabbed his jacket, just as he finally caught him the  teenager fell into the doorway of a building. Jerry and the teenager fell on the ground, the boy quickly tossed the phone to another guy waiting their for him and tried to make a run for it, but Jerry immediately caught him. He threw him on the ground. He threw his hands around the kids neck and ordered for him to give the phone up. Both of the young guys were in shock. They were terrified at Jerry's determination to retrieve this ordinary phone. He immediately gave up the phone. Jerry scrambled to see if it was still there. He opened up the phone and clicked on the small camera icon. He started to scroll through his pictures. The other guys were frozen in confusion. They just stood there waiting to see what Jerry was gonna do. He was looking through all of his pictures and started to panic when it didn't appear right away. And then he finally came to it, he clicked on the picture and it took up the whole screen. A flash of relief came across Jerry as he stood there gazing at the only picture he had of his late wife and three week old daughter together. He always thought he would have his whole life to capture those memories of his lost daughter. They were both taken from him three weeks after the birth of of his daughter in a horrible accident. This picture of his two beautiful girls was all he had left of them. He looked up and saw the fear in those boys eyes, he smiled at them and threw them all of the money he had in his wallet and walked away with his priceless phone in hand.

The Alley Way

John had enough. He hit his breaking point. He always knew what he was capable of, but he taught himself to control it and promised himself never to use it. However, he hadn't expected to be bullied either. He always thought of himself as a good guy, a nice guy, a friendly guy, but he had no friends. He didn't know why he was bullied. He maybe didn't look like a popular guy, but they couldn't bully him just because of that, right? It was the worst with Mack. He took it way too far with John. He is the sole reason that John got to the point that he did. Mack had made a mistake. A big mistake. John was shy to begin with, but with his capabilities and his desire to hide them he became even more shy. On this day John was no longer going to take it. He was angry and was looking forward to it. School ended and John started to walk home just like he did everyday. And Mack stopped him in an alley just like he does everyday. But today events did not take place like they did everyday. Mack walked up to John calling him horrible names and making jokes about him. Mack pushed John against the wall with all of his force. John hit the wall. A smirk appeared on John's face. It was almost in slow motion that John could see Mack's left fist coming towards his face. John saw his chance and took it. He stopped Mack's fist inches from his face. And with that simple touch of his hand touching Mack's he brought Mack to his knees. John very calmly and confidently moved his hand on to Mack's chest where he made him lay flat on his back in complete and utter pain. He left Mack laying there on the ground in pain. He knew the pain would subside, but long enough for John to take his time walking out of that alley with a smile on his face. He knew that would have scared Mack enough to leave him alone. John knew he had taken it too far, but he was fed up. He didn't deserve to be treated like that, so he decided to do something about it. He told himself it was a one time thing to get Mack off his back, but it made him feel good. It made him feel respected. It made him feel powerful. It became his go to move. Any time someone tried to mess with him or was even a little rude to him he would simply rest his arm on their shoulder and they would fall to their to knees because John had the capability to force pain upon anybody he touched. This was the reason that John never used his ability, because he knew what kind of person it would make him. But it was too late, he had already become that person. He became greedy for power. It became a way that he would get what he wanted. Nobody bullied him anymore, in fact, he was now known as the bully. Mack became the shy one. He stayed as far from John as he could and never told anyone what happened because he was too scared. John had hit a knew breaking point, but that was about to change. John knew he had been given this divine ability, he knew that it could have been used for good, but he abused it. But this power was given to John for a reason. This reason was found out on the most important day of John's life. It seemed like a normal day. John went through his normal routine. He started walking the same way as he always does. He was approaching the alley and saw that Mack was near the end of the alley with another man. The man pushed Mack up against the wall similar to John's previous position. John thought to himself that Mack was getting what he deserved. Then the man pulled out a gun and shot Mack. The man ran away as soon as it happened. Mack slowly slid down the wall with a streak of red making a path down to the ground. John was in shock. He didn't know what to do. He ran over to Mack and dropped to his knees. He held Mack in his arms. The blood seemed never ending. He couldn't help but think it looked like a scene right out of a movie, but this was reality. He kept telling Mack he would be alright. He thought he was lying. Mack suddenly opened his mouth and very slowly tried to talk to John. John was able to make out the words; "I'm sorry". John started to cry. He was disgusted with himself, but in that moment, that moment of shame, he finally knew the reason he was given this powerful ability. It was not to help himself, but to help others. As he held Mack in his arms and his tears rolled off his face on to Mack he placed his hand over Mack's wound. John could feel it. He could feel the wound appearing inside of himself. You see, his ability was not to give people pain, that was his curse, his ability was that he could take pain away. He finally knew that as the wound disappeared from Mack and appeared in himself. The blood started to pour out of himself. But he wasn't scared. He simply layed down knowing this was what he was meant for. John knew that if he realised his potential earlier he could have saved many more, but he died with the satisfaction of saving at least one. And that was enough.

A Final Day With Death

Jimmy was woken up several times throughout the night because he felt the sickness he was told so much about coming on. It's been like this ever since he started Chemotherapy. He had cancer for a couple years now. He woke up this morning feeling more sick than usual. He walked into his kitchen half-awake and half-asleep and went to the sink and took a drink right from the tap.

"Gross." said a voice from behind Jimmy. Clearly startled and scared, Jimmy yelled and jumped back. He saw a man wearing an old Rolling Stones t-shirt and a Yankees hat with ripped jeans. This guy was clearly passed his time. Very confused, Jimmy asked;

"Who are you and why are you in my house?", the man finished his toast and peanut butter and drank his orange juice before he spoke.

"Listen Jimmy there is no easy way to say this, so I am just going to come right out and say it... I'm death!". The man was completely surprised by Jimmy's reaction. Jimmy didn't even react, his facial expression didn't change, he didn't start to cry and freak out like most people. He simply continued on with his routine, went to  the toaster and put some bread in.

"Are you okay Jimmy?"

"Ya, I'm okay. I mean the doctors told me I didn't have long, so I expected this eventually."

"Wait, you expected me?"

"Ya, your like an angel aren't you? Wait, I am going to heaven aren't I?"

"Oh ya of course Jimmy, you did everything the Big Man and the Good Book asked, I'm just used to people freaking out, they know it's going to happen, but it still scares them."

"Well I guess I can understand that, I mean I can kind of understand, I'm not really ready to go myself."

"Well here is the thing, the Big Man said you can have one day."
"For real?"
"Yes, so I would suggest using it wisely."
In the world's eyes Jimmy didn't have much to live for. He was 26, he was single, no children, and his only family was his mother. Jimmy really had no idea what he should do, he seriously contemplated just going in to work, but death convinced him to spend it more wisely than that. Jimmy was a columnist for the New York Post. He had a very good job, but spent a lot of his time by himself writing and reading. He was a fairly good-looking man, very kind, humble, good job, a great lifestyle, so it wasn't like he was single from lack of female interest. He was just simply content being alone. Some people may not agree with his choice of lifestyle, but he enjoyed it and did his part for the world and in his will all of his money went to charity. However, now that he has this one day, he has no family or friends to spend it with. His mother was losing her memory and by now didn't remember him. He wanted to go visit her one last time. He spent the majority of his day with her, she spent most of that time reading, so he read too. She was about to fall asleep, he went over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. With tears beginning to roll down his cheeks he told his mom how much he loved her and said goodbye.
"Will I see you next week as usual?", his mother so innocently asked. Jimmy was conflicted, but he knew the Big Man would forgive him, especially this time.
"Yes mom, I'll be here!". Jimmy so passionately said. In a way he wasn't lying because he will be with her in spirit, he will be with her every day now. He gave her a big hug and walked out. It was about 7:00 pm, Jimmy and death were tossing a football. Death stopped and asked,
"Jimmy, you are a twenty six year old man, you have one more day to live and you are playing catch with death, there has to be something you want to do for your last night."
"You're right, a diner down the street makes the greatest burgers, the perfect last meal."
"A burger? Alright, if that's what you want."
Jimmy and death were devouring their burgers. Jimmy had a huge smile on his face. It didn't take long for death to realise that Jimmy wasn't smiling because of the burgers. He followed Jimmy's eyes and it led him to a beautiful waitress.
"So that's why you wanted this be your last meal." Jimmy started to blush when he was caught in the act of staring at this gorgeous young girl. "Why haven't you ever asked her out?"
"I'm not very good with women, I'm always afraid I'll say something stupid."
"Well it's your last night, who cares if you say something stupid."
"You mean now? I can't talk to her now, I'm going to die in about three hours!"
"Why not? That's the best way to end it all, talking to the girl of your dreams."
"I can't."
"Alright, if you want to end your night with this crappy pie and staring at this girl instead of acting on those feelings, than so be it."
"I'm too nervous, especially with all of these people."
"Alright, we will wait til everyone leaves then."
Jimmy and death waited in that booth for hours. They talked about everything, Jimmy told death his whole life story. They were becoming close even though Jimmy was telling the stories and Death just listened, but he was intrigued, he loved it. Death was living vicariously through Jimmy's stories. They laughed, they smiled, and enjoyed every minute in that booth. Jimmy started to think that his life could have been better if he had more friends, just as he started to wonder the last customer left and the last three people in the diner were Death, Jimmy, and his dream girl.
"Alright now is your chance go talk to her." Jimmy's heart suddenly dropped to his stomach and was beating twice as fast. Jimmy suddenly understood the concept of your life flashing before your eyes as it happened to him in seconds. He saw his whole life, though it was great, he had regrets, some of which were opportunities.  This was an opportunity, an opportunity to make the last minutes of his life a moment that he won't regret. He  got a big smile on his face as he knew what was waiting for him in about twenty minutes. He knew he had nothing to lose.
"Alright, but I need you to do something for me...". Jimmy walked over to the waitress.
"Hi, my name is Jimmy. You probably don't recognise me, but I come in here a lot and it is because of you, the food kind of sucks.This might sound weird  but I think you are gorgeous, I see the way you treat other people and you are the sweetest person ever, and you have a smile that is out of this world. When I think of the dream girl, I can't help, but think of you."
"I'm Lucy.", as she said with a big smile and blushing cheeks. Jimmy knew he had succeeded when he saw that beautiful smile appear. Hearing her name was Death's cue. Frank Sinatra's, "The Way You Look Tonight" started to play.
"Would you like to dance?" Jimmy said very nervously as he stuck his hand out for her to take. She just looked at his hand for a little while, but the smile never left her face. She hadn't said another word, but Jimmy knew he caught her attention.
"I would love to." She reached out and grabbed his hand. Jimmy was spinning her and picking her up and spinning her around and they loved every minute of it. They were both laughing and having the time of their life. The song was coming near the end and she suddenly stopped the energetic dancing and came close to him. She wrapped her hands around his neck and rested her head against his chest. Jimmy never felt so happy in his life. He couldn't think of a better way to spend his last moment. Death tapped Jimmy on the back, he told Lucy he had to go, but how much this night meant to him. He walked out of that Diner and she never saw him again. Jimmy left that Diner with a huge smile... and he left this world with an even bigger one.

The Man With Slicked Hair...

Bobby woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a gunshot. He ran over to the window to see a man standing over the body of a woman with a gun in his right hand.The man looked towards Bobby's house and they made eye contact. Bobby quickly ducked down below his window hoping the man would go away. A young teenager who was friends with Bobby came running into his house through the back door. He told Bobby that he saw the whole thing from start to finish and that the man saw him. The young boy started to cry in fear. The boy had been involved with a gang and did some time at a juvenile detention centre, but he didn't deserve to die, Bobby knew this. He pulled the boy close and told him to go through the back door, to take his car and drive home as fast as he could and wait for his call. He knew that if the boy went to the police alone they wouldn't believe a gang member. As the boy left, Bobby ran over to his phone. He quickly called 911 and told them what he saw. Suddenly he heard a light knock on the front door. Bobby knew who it was. He could tell just looking at this man that he wouldn't leave the scene knowing there are loose-ends. Bobby waited a little while praying the man would go away. Another light knock at the door. Bobby was surprised at this man's patience thinking the door would be kicked down by now. A couple tears rolled down Bobby's face, still kneeling on the ground he dropped his head into his hands, he prayed a prayer unlike anything he has ever prayed. He raised his head from his hands. The quick, but powerful prayer gave him a sense of peace. He accepted whatever his fate was. Bobby slowly walked over to the door and opened it. At the door was standing an averaged size man, he was clearly very fit, probably in his early to mid thirty's, his hair was slicked back, he was wearing old sunglasses even though it was night and a leather jacket, in his mouth was an unlit cigarette. He gave Bobby a smile. He politely asked Bobby if he could come in. Bobby hesitated and then let the man in his house. The man walked into the house and pulled out a gold lighter and lit his cigarette. Bobby was about to tell him to put it out, but thought twice before talking and decided not to. The man told Bobby what was going to happen, his directions were very clear.
"I know what you saw and I know what the boy saw who came in here and then conveniently drove away I'm guessing with your car, don't try and deny it because I know the truth and I don't like being lied to. So here is what's going to happen. The police are going to be here in a few minutes because I am assuming you have already called them. So you are going to come with me and we are going to go for a drive."
Bobby followed the man to the back door where he was then led to the man's car. It was a 1970 black camero. Despite the situation Bobby still mentally recognised the beauty of this classic. They drove for about ten minutes until the man parked underneath an old bridge. Bobby was terrified looking around the surrounding landscape hoping someone was watching and would call for help, but there wasn't a soul in sight.   They sat there in silence for a few minutes, the man then pulled his gun out of his jacket pocket and very slowly and gently placed it on the dash board. Then in his other jacket pocket he pulled out a picture frame with a picture of Bobby's family in it. He then very politely laid Bobby's options in front of him.
"Here's the thing; I know you aren't going to tell the police what you saw otherwise you will never see these lovely people again, the boy on the other hand, well he is a loose-end. Nobody likes loose-ends. So here are your options: you can tell me where I can find the boy and you and your family can be free to go or you can not tell me where the boy is and I shoot you. Choose wisely."
Tears started to roll down Bobby's face again. He closed his eyes, he's never prayed so hard in his life.
"God what do I do in this situation? Do I just tell him where he is and then I can go peacefully? But he might still kill me anyways. Or do I not tell him and risk my life, but save the boy's?
The tears very quickly stopped.
"Alright, where is the boy?"
With complete peace and contentment, Bobby just shook his head. He knew what was coming and he accepted that. In one swift motion the man took the gun off the dashboard and shot Bobby in the head.
Bobby sat up in his bed sweating profusely.
"Holy crap, it was a dream!"

This Is Church...

Myself and my three friends were sitting in a dark room. We were unused, ignored... empty. Just six days ago hands were all over me. So I was feeling used and abused until a glimmer of light silhouetted me in the dark. In walked a stranger toward me, us. He carried us out of the shadow and into the light to centre stage. It seems that we are featured under the lights. As the music played and the holy words were spoken we knew our five minutes of fame were approaching. The music was rising to a crescendo as we were lifted to our place of honour. The hands held us as though we were sacred. They turned for the crowd to see as they decorated us with their riches. It had begun, as we were on parade for all to see. Immediately someone tried to upstage those who had previously decorated me. Another tried to fool me with empty offering for all to see. I found myself beside one who had little to benefit me. But she dug into her meagre means to bless me abundantly. In that moment I realized it wasn't about the spotlight on me. There was a greater power at work  in this show that anyone could sense. Then there was one who dropped his head in shame as I came his way.  The one who led me passed him over despised by the mans lack of riches. From all appearances he was rugged and worn, it was clear he was feeling as I did previously ; used, abused, and empty. My calling was clear as I jerked from the hands that held me. I flipped myself, an offering plate, emptying all the riches bestowed upon me. They landed in those hands, rugged and worn, where it was truly needed. This is church...
Co-written by Lance Schubert and Leighton Schubert

Light After Some Dark

I just finished watching the movie 500 Days of Summer. Yes, it is a chick-flick, however, throughout this movie I couldn't help but think that the story was fantastic. Allow me to give you the quick synopsis; the story goes through the 500 days that Tom knew Summer (a girl, not the season). It starts on the 488 day of the 500 days where it makes it seem that they end up together even though at the beginning of the movie the narrator assures us that "this is not a love story". The film goes back and forth from the first days they met to the days near the end. While watching this movie I started to get quite frustrated because this girl kept pushing the guy away until she broke up with him without a proper explanation. On the first days that they started to get to know each other, Summer told Tom that she didn't believe in love and Tom said that he disagreed, she asked how one could even know what love is, he replied by saying that you'll know when you feel it. This is kind of the basis of the film because throughout the story Tom is falling in love with Summer, but Summer continues to push him away until she ends it for good. I know that it sounds like a really sappy and depressing love story, but it is actually a great one. In order for me to express my thought I have to give away the ending; Tom continues to be in love with Summer and thinks there still might be hope for them until he finds out on the early four hundreds of their relationship that she is engaged. Right away I began to think that this story sucks because it is incredibly depressing and the guy gets screwed over. Then on day 488, Summer sees Tom at a park bench and goes to talk to him (by this time she is happily married to another guy). Tom, who is clearly depressed by the whole situation, tells Summer that she was right at the beginning, that there is no such thing as destiny or fate and ultimately no such thing as love. Summer smiled and said that he was wrong, that it was fate and destiny that she met this other guy and fell in love with him, so in the end Tom was right at the beginning by saying she had found her true love, still Tom was in disbelief. At this point I am starting to think that this is so true, that sometimes there is really crappy and depressing stuff that happens in life that makes you want to give up and stop believing in stuff such as love. But that is just life. There is no other way to explain it, sometimes stuff just happens that you can't make sense of or explain, that's life, but that doesn't mean you should give up on the things you believe in; fate, destiny, love. It means you continue on with your life, you continue to enjoy because that one thing that happened, whatever it was whether it was big or small is not the end of the world. Which I believe is a great lesson, however, that is not how the movie ended. On day 500 Tom went to an interview to pursue his dream of becoming an architect (moving on with his life), while in the waiting room he met a beautiful girl (much better looking than Summer) who he then asked out for coffee in which she agreed, as he was about to leave he asked her name; Autumn... So then after watching the whole movie I then began to think that sometimes unexplainable crappy things happen, you just have to continue on enjoying life. However, sometimes things in life happen for a reason, sometimes something that seems horrible happens because you are destined for something much greater. Sometimes in life when it seems like love, destiny, or happiness is such a foreign concept, joy is found at the end of that dark tunnel.  

A Divine Conversation

Ed is a typical man.
He has a normal life,
he goes through the motions, day after day.
He wakes up, goes to work, goes home, goes to sleep.
His current existence consists of routines;
everyday Ed walks to and from work,
he goes the same route at the same pace and stops at the same coffee shop.
This has been his routine for five years.
Ed continues his routine even on weekends,
stopping to get his coffee.
Every morning, after he comes out of the coffee shop,
he gives his left over change to a homeless man despite the mans sign;
on an old piece of cardboard it reads,
"Don't want your money, just want your time."
Time is one thing Ed doesn't have.
His job forces him to dedicate his life to it,
a small sacrifice for wealth, women, and fame.
He hasn't always been like this, he changed.
On one particular day, Ed's life completely changed.... again.
He was on his usual routine,
everything started normal like it usually does.
He left his building and started to walk,
he stopped at his coffee shop, bought his coffee and came back out.
He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled the leftover change out,
Ed usually places the money in the mans beer stained hat,
however,
today the man reached his open hand out,
About to drop it in his hand, the man had quickly grasped on to Ed's hand.
He pulled Ed close and said to him, "all I want is your time".
Ed kept the money in his hand and started to walk away.
For the first time in five years Ed had stepped outside of his routine,
about a hundred feet down the sidewalk, Ed stopped.
He walked back to the man and sat beside him.
The man was like a little kid in a candy store with a smile from ear to ear.
With a big of sigh of confusion, Ed looked to him and said,
"alright you have my time"
The man stretched his hand out, "Hi, I'm Mike"
"I'm Ed".
"Tell me about yourself Ed"
"Why would I tell you anything about myself? that doesn't make any sense"
"Neither does you giving me your time, but you did"
After a long pause,
"Well, I work down the street, not married, don't have kids, and I enjoy being alone"
"Why did you sit down Ed?"
"I really don't know, just felt like I should"
"Well I am glad you did"
"Ya sure whatever, well I should get to work"
Ed stood up and was about to start walking;
"Have you ever been in love Ed?"
Clearly angered, Ed responded, "WHAT?", but also intrigued as he sat back down.
"Oh that must be a sensitive subject for you"
"What kind of a question is that, I don't even know you"
"Well are you gonna answer it or not?"
"Alright, I'll answer it if you answer one of my questions"
"Fair enough"
"Why don't you get a job, for the past five years that I've lived here, you just sit here with that sign"
"I have a job and I am doing it right now"
"Oh ya, your job is that you're a homeless person?"
"Ya, something like that"
"Oh please, what were you addicted to drugs? alcohol? lost everything? what was it?"
"Okay, you want the truth Ed... I'm an angel!"
"Alright, drugs it is."
"Okay I answered the question, your turn"
"Whoa, you still haven't actually told me why you are here"
"I just did"
"Pffff, but fine, yes, I have been in love"
"What happened?"
"Why do you assume something happened?"
"Because you don't seem to live a life of a man in love"
Ed immediately grabbed the collar of Mike's jacket and pulled him close,
"I have NEVER stopped loving her"
"Who?"
"My wife, I will always love her!"
"You aren't wearing a ring."
"Because I'm not married anymore, she died."
"How did she die?"
"Car accident, a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and they both died"
"Is that why you are like this?"
"Like what?"
"Angry"
"You know other people they just ask how I am doing with it and apologise, but your different"
"Well I'm not like other people"
"Ya, that's probably why I am still sitting here"
"Can I ask you something?"
"I think that it is my turn to ask a question"
"Alright, go ahead."
"Why did you say you're an angel?"
"Because I am, that was a stupid question"
"If you are an angel why are you dressed like a homeless person?"
"Because descending from the heavens in white with wings seems to attract a lot of attention"
"Okay, but why a homeless person, I mean why not a doctor or a minister?"
"Because a homeless person allows me to sit here and observe people and complete my mission, purpose"
"Your mission?"
"Yes, I have a purpose for being here"
"And what is it?"
"Its you"
"Of course it is, then what is your purpose with me?"
"Its my turn for a question"
"Fine"
"Why do you always give me change?"
"Because its something my wife would have done, it would have made her happy"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you happy?"
"Why would I be happy, my wife is dead!"
"Well maybe she is in a better place, wouldn't that make you happy?"
"Yes, if I believed there was a better place"
"Why don't you?"
"Because there is so much evil"
"There is some good in the world"
"Oh ya, like what?"
"People like your wife... people like you"
"I'll never be like my wife"
"You might, if you ever allow yourself to be happy again"
"I can't"
"Why?"
"Because it is my fault that she is dead"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because we got into a fight and she got angry and drove away, and I never saw her again"
A tear slowly appeared in the corner of Ed's eye, it grew and touched his skin and fell down his face.
"Trust me Ed, you are not the reason she died"
"You don't know that"
"Yes, I do"
Ed quickly turned from sad to angry.
"Mike don't try that angel crap with my wife"
Neither one of them said anything for a very long time,
they both sat there in silence.
Ed's face grew more and more wet while Mike sat there thinking.
Mike knew this was his chance and had to act.
"If you had the chance to talk to your wife before she died what would you have said?"
Ed's tears were no longer subtle, he began to cry.
"I would tell her that I love her and that I will always love her"
Mike had a very gentle and innocent smile on his face,
he leaned in really close to Ed,
his mouth was an inch from Ed's ear.
He began to whisper very softly;
"She loves you Ed, she never stopped loving you and she wants you to be happy"
"who?"
"Jane....... your wife!"
Ed's face went pale,
Mike stood up.
"You can be a good person Ed, if not for yourself than for her!"
Mike walked away and Ed never saw him again.
To this day Ed doesn't know if Mike was an angel,
but he does know that he has never been the same.
The next day Ed didn't follow one of his routines;
he slept in, made his own coffee and didn't go to work.
Ed walked down the same street as always,
he walked to the coffee shop and stopped in front of it,
he sat down in Mikes place and lifted up his sign;
"Don't want your money, just want your time!"