Another day draws to a close. As the weather worn combination lock ever so slightly clicks along, I give off a sigh of relief and weariness. My locker is a treasure chest yearning to be rummaged through. Inside sits a wondrous bounty. Lying before me is warmth and consolation wrapped in the most humble of belongings. At long last, I am reunited with my ragged yet comforting coat and gloves. As if readying for battle, I don my suit of woolen armor. I can now withstand the daunting chill of the latest ice storm. I emerge from the damp and dreary basement. A playful grin streaks across my face as I step out to greet the sunlight. I am met with only darkness and despair. The distant sun has already tucked itself in for the night. Oh how I long to bask in the very rays that I have been denied for so long. I must trudge on, for my journey is nearly complete.
I gracefully traverse the ice-laden walkway beneath my feet. Alas, I have arrived at my destination far to early. I must square off with Father Time himself. I watch eternity pass before my blazing, blood shot eyes. If patience is a virtue, it only takes three minutes to discover something lacking within me. After a harrowing struggle with my arch nemesis, the time clock finally surrenders to my will. As I listen to the resonance of the clock’s bell, I reflect upon the accomplishments of the day. Despite the adversities that had befallen me, I emerge the victor. On my way through the gate, I give the security guard a nod of encouragement. He must stay behind and carry on the good fight.
I look forward and see a gray beast in the distance. It is my car, all alone in the vacant wasteland. It shivers like a lone penguin stranded on a frozen lake. The doors are iced shut. I remove my ice scraper from my pocket, and begin to free this frosty beast. Ever so gently, I chip away at the ice. It’s as if I am excavating an ancient civilization. A civilization lost to the rest of existence and frozen in time. I am finally able to set free the frigid door handle. With great effort, I pry open the door long enough for me to shift myself to the inside. By now, I am lusting for the warmth of my heater. With my key in the ignition, I hurriedly turn it to start. All I hear is a faint…tick. Frantically, I try the key again. Once again, there is only that dreadful…tick. I now know what has transpired this day. With my victory swiftly fleeting, I have lost. Mother Nature, with her wretched boney fingers, reached in and snatched the remaining life of my car battery. This gray beast was left dead and alone on the ice. I will wait with the night watchmen in his security shack. Soon my mocking family will rescue me. Mother Nature has won this battle, but the war is long from over. It is only Monday after all. I still have four more days to go.
