Wishful Thinking

Tip-toeing to the edge,

I peek my head over the water.

One look at the reflection,

I ponder if life could be different, somehow.

The shiny bronze coin,

Flips end over end.

A *splash* and a ripple,

Distorts my reflection.

My body begins to tingle,

Every bone starts to shake.

My head swirling,

Time stops…

I scurry around,

And freeze when I see a wallet on the ground.

Shoving it in my pocket without hesitation,

I wonder: Have I always been a thief?

It isn’t until I get to my car,

I notice my clothes.

My outfit…it’s so BOLD and uncharacteristic.

I don’t remember this jacket in my closet.

Brushing it off, 

I turn on the radio.

Blasting from the speakers,

Rap and profanity fill the vehicle.

When did I start listening to this music?

Convinced I must not be well,

I dial my mom.

No answer.

*Calling…

No answer.

*Calling…

She picks up the phone.

“What do YOU want after all this time?”

“I need a ride home.  I don’t think I should be driving.”

“Well that’s pretty hard, you live 1300 miles away.”

“What do you mean?  I live with you!”

Looking out the car window,

I see it now.

Skyscrapers in the distance,

And the Brooklyn Bridge over the horizon.

“Mooooom, why am I in New York?”

“You left us, remember?  We haven’t spoken in 10 years.”

My heart sinks 100 feet into the ground.

What universe am I in?

Quickly,

I sprint back to the mall,

Placing the wallet

back where I had found it.

Closer and closer,

The wishing fountain comes into view.

I've never run so fast in my life.

At least, in the life I knew before.

The fountain!

Jumping in,

I search for the penny I tossed in only moments ago.

Found it, thank God.

Holding it tightly to my chest,

I wish for everything to go back to normal,

And toss it in, praying for the best.

The tingle slithered up my body once again.

I opened my eyes.

My sweatpants and T-shirt were back.

I called my mom.

She knew me like a best friend.

The ripple had faded.

The sun set through the mall windows.

Outside, corn grew on the other side of the road.

I….was back.