Intermission
Chasing …Pavement
Short stories of unexpected happenings
The evening was ripe with life and laughter strolling the pavements of an outdoor marketplace. Evening diners with spirits and appetizers chattered. Beyond their reach, a twenty-dollar bill appeared. A college kid with his girl was stunned by the sight. He pointed for her attention just before swooping down to seize the unexpected bounty. Just as he did so, the wind moved it just beyond his grasp. He quickly adjusted and went for it again. Damn wind. It skirted the cement top just out of reach again. By now every patio patron and passerby has taken intermission to their lives course to watch this peculiarity unfolding. The young man, used to being a spectacle in a positive sense, has drawn unwanted attention. He went into athlete mode so as to not be defeated. Coming up empty-handed was no longer an option. This trophy would be his for all to see. And just as he attacked the bill his girl tugged at his shirt a bit too late as she caught on. The bill moved and the man moved with it. Both scampered the pavement to the howling laughter of, well, everyone but him. His girl giggled, too. The bill kept moving until it climbed into the lap of an old-timer reeling it in on an invisible string. The young man met eyes with the old man and realized he was had. They both shared in the laughter that infected the scene. The younger guy shook a naughty finger at the old guy. The old guy returned with a wink. And as the young couple walked off, the crowd applauded, and his girl kissed his cheek and nestled her head into the crook of his neck. Life was good.
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun
