Upon The Ending Of The World

Day one. 1

It's finally happened. Deep down, I knew all along that this would happen in my life time. For thirty years I waited, I prayed, and I hoped for the end of the world to come, but when it didn't, I started to doubt God. If he didn't answer my prayers then I would be doomed to die of old age or heart failure like everyone else. My life would be a pitiful, boring, meaning less squall. No one would remember me.2

But if the world ended, there would be no one left to not remember me. 3

And so I prayed, not knowing whether I would get an answer. 4

The long awaited respose came this Thursday afternoon while I was painting. I had the radio playing in the background, as was my wont, when a news flash came on. Immediately I dropped my paint brush and ran to my radio, who had faithfully provided me with news not concerning the end of the world for years. 5

I crossed my fingers tightly, and listened to the news.6

"In a strange turn of events, the sky actually started raining fire today," the announcer's voice was excited, interested, "Yes, that's right folks, fire in Cape Town, New Jersey. Hopefully we'll be getting more detailed reports of this phenomenon, but in the mean time, locals are advised to seek shelter in their basements. These fire flakes can burn through certain types of roofs, so please folks, be careful."7

I shut off the radio. For a moment I stood there, staring at my untouched canvas and multi colored blots on the floor where I had dropped my brush, until a warm smile spread across my face. It was actually happening. No more trying to scrape a living out of painting