Everyone was laughing, dancing, twirling their partners around in the sunset. Most of us glad for a break from a hopelessness that had recently engulfed our minds – A natural disaster brought on by the extreme heat they told us didn’t exist. The ground shook, structures tumbled, limited aide sent the town squirming into limbo.
I lost everything, wife, kids and the goldfish that swam in the clear bowl. The tiny plastic green plant submerged in the tap water couldn’t hide Rufus from his fate. He flopped on the dry floor once his habitat shattered in pieces – until he didn’t flop anymore.
I blamed myself for not being there, foolish enough to believe the lies I was fed about the job offer that subtracted me from the ones I loved most.
My family would benefit greatly from the income, class us up a notch. The agreement, half would be paid up front and the other half when completed. Me and my team built the rock wall as promised, but final payment still hadn’t been issued.
My buddy, Roosevelt, swallowed his pride, got revenge, knocked a hole in the stone barrier and celebrated his wedding reception amidst the partial ruins.
Now, I’m standing here, tipsy, staring through the demolition, out across the mountains and the only thing that comes to mind is a children’s Christmas poem. Slurring my speech, I recited it. “What before my wandering eyes should appear, a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer.” Or something like that.
I leaned my head over on the stones, nearing unconsciousness, I figured it all sounded about right, some sort of cruel, fake Santa Claus was probably behind all the evil in this world.
Leesa Writes 