Savings account
First of all, a small apology for not updating this side of my blog so often. I am currently in the mood of venting out my emotions so I can continue functioning as a normal human being so, without further rambling from me, I’ll make a post~
I close the photo album and let a long sigh escape my mouth. It had been ages since I last looked through the five thick books of my life, the only books left that show almost everything from the day I was born until today.
“Today, this one will do!”
I am holding a picture that is two years old, it was taken the day I finally managed to get a proper job after years of wandering from part time to part time, without a stable source of income. I had mailed more resumes to companies than the total amount of postcards sent in Christmas by four families and, finally, a reply came from an international company that was looking for somebody who would manage the new branch they were about to open.
“Are you familiar with the customs of this country Mr… Guzman?”
“Yes sir, I was born and raised in this same city.”
“So, you have never traveled outside this city?” the interviewer said looking through his cold glasses.
“I have sir, I believe it is very important for one to know about his own country.” Of course, it was a blatant lie. How can a man like me, who comes from the lowest end of slums of this country ever afford to take some time off to travel?
“Good! I think you are the perfect candidate for this position, make sure to make an appointment with the receptionist before you leave Mr. Guzman.” The little round man seemed happy with my truthful lie.
It was such a great day for me. I came back home with a bottle of champagne and some pizza, heck, I could splurge a little, I was finally going to have a proper job!
“I drank so much I don’t even remember what celebrated about, hah!”
I grab the red picture frame and put the picture I was holding in it.
“Now, where should I place this?”
There is nobody around me to answer my question, only the empty silence was my companion and it has been this way since four months ago.
“…”
I place the picture on the left corner of my desk, the one corner I love to stare at when my mind is stuck and can’t seem to think.
“It has been already four months…”
A couple of wet round things fall on top of my desk and, while I stare at them, more start to fall.
Four months ago, I received a special memo: HQ wanted me in their main team due to my outstanding performance managing the regional offices. It was a dream in a dream come true! I packed all my things in a hurry, said bye to my secretary, tipped the valet boy, ignored the no left turn sign, and made my way home as fast as I could.
Red invaded my pupils and heat my pores, my house was in fire, I didn’t know if to get off of my car or to continue staring at the fireman asking me to move out of the way. I think one of them recognized as the owner of the house, it was a habit of mine to make yearly donations to the firemen in our area, “got to help whenever you have the means to” is what my father always repeated to me as I grew up, the fireman signaled me to come on over to where he was at. He placed his hands on my shoulder and said the dreaded words:
“I am sorry.”
I didn’t know how to react. Was I supposed to cry? To drop on my knees and cry my eyes out? Cling onto him imploring to return my family? Scream until God decided to make it magically rain and stop the fire? My mind was confused but my body wasn’t, my knees gave up and I dropped on the wet floor, tears were overflowing from my eyes and my throat was screaming for mercy.
Today, is the fourth month since little Laura, little Ben, Chris, and Martha have left me. I dry my tears and look up to the picture, we all look so happy, without a care in the world.
During the fire, Laura must have tried to protect little Ben until the very last moment, the same way she protected me since we met in college, her body was found wrapped around little Ben. Chris and Martha were in my office, near the safe, we all knew the combination to that lump of metal, it didn’t have anything important in it but we always joked that, someday, it would be filled with millions and millions like in the gangster movies. Maybe, inside the smoke and the flames, they knew they wouldn’t make it out so they decided to put inside the safe the most important thing for us, our time together.
“Our savings account…”
That was the name Laura has given to our collection of pictures, our first kiss, the first steps of Martha, little Ben eating dirt, and Chris riding a bike; happiness we all shared together.
“It truly is a savings account…”
Everyday, before I go to bed, I look through this savings account, looking for the happiness that will keep me going tomorrow, to continue living the dream that we all shared, my share and theirs.
“It truly is a savings account…….”
Hope you enjoyed it! And remember to leave any comments about it ^^
-Ararara-ra
Hola a todos. Hello everybody.
Bienvenidos, en este blog postearé cuentos cortos nuevos y pedazos de novelas a como los vaya creando. También postearé pensamientos e ideas que se me vayan ocurriendo porque si no se escriben pronto, se escapan entre los dedos como agua que fluye.
Welcome, in this blog I will be posting new short stories and novel’s pieces as I create them. I will also post thoughts and ideas that come across my mind because if one doesn’t write them down as soon as possible, they escape between one’s fingers like flowing water.
Al azar 