An entry that didn't make the finals. Crap. I was really disappointed here. I thought this was a good one. Not that I dish trash to you, but I was having a shiny moment. Ah, well, I hope you enjoy it. I still think it's good.
ONCE
Shelby stumbled out the door; hot tears streaking her face, her wig slipping back exposing the last few angry prickles of hair left after chemo. Her shiny face was wrinkled; red from both crying and radiation therapy.
Utter shock drove her through the crowded street. Pain kicked in her chest as she struggled to wrap her mind around what her boyfriend of three years had said:
“I can’t go on like this. I’m not strong enough. There’s just too much pressure. It isn’t you…”
“You’re right. It isn’t.” she’d wailed running from the café. Behind her Travis was calling out, trailing her. She dashed into a junk shop and ducked behind a shelf of mismatched china.
“First time in? Or our inventory was that captivating?” Grinned the curly haired clerk from behind the register.
“I’m lost.” Shelby sadly confessed. “I’m trying to find my way.” Her voice hitched.
He nodded, taking something from under the counter. “Here. Shake it. It allows you to change one thing in your life. “
Shelby glanced at the snow globe with the little sled inside. The glass was dingy and the paint was chipped. She wrinkled her brow continuing to stare at the salesman offering her a reversal of fortune.
“Only once. That should be enough.” He cautioned.
“Once.” She echoed reaching for the treasure with a shaking, bony hand. She almost dropped it, it was so heavy. “Of course it’s heavy.” She mused. “This is my future: a fresh start, a better life”
“Choose before you shake.” He gently instructed looking back to his register.
Her mind flicked through her life: her mother’s sudden death, her horrifying diagnosis, her battles with cancer, her loss of Travis. The list seemed dark and endless. Was there too much pain to erase? The thought of being happy, healthy and loved was intoxicating. Shelby closed her eyes and sighed. Resting her hand on the counter to steady herself, the moment came. She knew exactly where to begin again.
There was a tiny clinking noise as the snow hit the glass. Shelby’s heart beat wildly. A warm gust of wind thundered in her ears. Her wig bit her scalp as it shifted on her head. She felt as if she were in one of those money tubes at the bank. She giggled nervously. Then it was quiet.
She opened her eyes to the café, spotting Travis at their corner table stirring his coffee. She plopped down and listened. She couldn’t believe her ears:
“….too much pressure. It isn’t you.”
She bolted from the coffee house, staggering through the crowd. Tears streaked her cheeks. Her wig slipped. To escape Travis’ shouts of “Come back!” she jumped into a junk shop, finding refuge amongst some chipped, orphaned china.
“First time? Or are you that enamored by previously loved items?” Came the cheerful quip from the curly haired clerk.
“Just lost.” She panted. “Looking for the right direction.” She smiled warmly at the handsome green eyed man.
His sweet face seemed familiar and warm.
“Here.” He offered her a smudgy snow globe. “Shake it once and you can change any one thing in your life.”
She stepped up considering his unusual offer.
“Once.” He cautioned.
She reached for it; remembering her mother telling her how much she loved Shelby. She recalled feeling great when she entered the café after finding out her cancer was heading for remission. She grinned brightly at this handsome young man, thankful that losing Travis might just allow her to recognize a good man and the chance for a real love.
“No thanks but would you like to have lunch with someone who could learn to appreciate previously loved things?” There was something comfortable and gentle about this man.
The clerk shyly reached for the hand of the beautiful woman across from him. He’d loved her the FIRST time she’d dashed in his store. The globe had worked.
“Weeeeell…just this once.” He said.
