By SHELIA BLAND
FIRST ENDING
Rain plays rhythms on my coat and hood as I make my way to the inevitable meetup. I use these beats to block out any thoughts of the approaching confrontation. Puddles jump up in surprise and protest as I rudely slam the weight of my feet down in the midst of their watery realities. I hurry, unfazed by these reactive pushbacks.
The target location is just in sight. I steel myself lunging forward. The fight is on. I arrive. Though the place is lit outside, inside seems dark. This is the assigned location. Ground zero. It should be open for business.
If necessary, we have this showdown in the street. There is no going back.
I push the door. It opens. I move in. In the darkness I see bodies seated around the room.
I’ll wait here…
Mid-thought, my opponent is upon me.
“Let’s do this.”
“Yes, lets.”
Suddenly, there’s light and…
“SURPRISE!!!”
“What…”
Laughter and glee ring out. I am surrounded.
“You are so easy to play. I knew the best way to get you to show was to pick a fight.”
“What…”
More laughter.
“No friendships are ending tonight. Everyone…”
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
The rain outside beats a rhythmic, “Celebration time, come on. It’s a celebration!”
SECOND ENDING
Rain plays rhythms on my coat and hood as I make my way to the inevitable meetup. I use these beats to block out any thoughts of the approaching confrontation. Puddles jump up in surprise and protest as I rudely slam the weight of my feet down in the midst of their watery realities. I hurry, unfazed by these reactive pushbacks.
The target location is just in sight. I steel myself lunging forward. The fight is on. I arrive. Though the place is lit outside, inside seems dark. This is the assigned location. Ground zero. It should be open to business.
If necessary, we have this showdown in the street. There is no going back.
I push on the door. It opens. I move in. In the darkness I see bodies seated around the room.
I’ll wait here…
Mid-thought, my opponent is upon me.
“Let’s do this.”
“Yes, lets.”
Suddenly there’s light. The enemy has brought back-up. All my foes have teamed up with this one invited opponent to make this the showdown of showdowns. Would this be a war of words or a contact sport? Am I prepared for a stay in the hospital?
Just as the enemy forces move to surround me, I lunge for the exit door at my back and into the now torrentially angry rain, lashing me in retaliation for my pounding of puddles. Swiftly and defiantly, I flee. I am more than two blocks away before I dare look back. If I never see a single one of those malicious faces again, it would be too soon.
Despite all this, a mischievous smile crosses my own face as a fresh idea occurs to me. Time to explore a new city. Time for me to move on to new adventures…and new battles.
Shelia Bland lives in Midtown Phillips. She has been writing most of her life to help herself understand the experiences and people in her shared world.
