It seems that I was always in a hurry. Rushing to work, rushing at work, rushing home, rushing to eat, rushing to the store. When I was home, I would usually watch television, listen to music, or get on the computer. It seemed like I didn't have any real friends, although I had chat buddies and associates at work. It had become so easy to isolate myself from the world.1
The world seemed to be filled with people who were just like me. It was nearly impossible to find someone to do anything. Time spent on the computer seemed to be becoming the most important preoccupation of Americans. That or television. Shopping and buying things on credit was also big. I was guilty, I wanted to see that movie or show, or check out what my chat buddies had to say, but I seemed out of touch with the real world.2
The thing is, I believed that I was happy. I had nobody and no one had me. I lived alone and rarely went out with anyone. There was no one who was really close. There had been periods when I had close friends, but those times were forgotten. Now I lived selfishly and alone.3
I had a new car, CD's, DVD's, video cassettes, an elaborate home entertainment system and a great car stereo. I was buying a new home and was largely in debt. I tried to impress people with the things that I had, not the person that I was. I never had time for anyone and no one had time for me. I was an average single American.4
I was working my way up in corporate America. In middle management, probably for life, I was still chasing the rainbow never seeing its intangibleness. Somewhere like the rainbow, I dreamed of a wife and kids, but all I had were brief torrid affairs. Passion for a moment, not meant to last a lifetime.5
How do you fix yourself when you don't realize you are broken. I thought everything was great in my life. I was healthy, had enough money though always in debt, thought I had everything I wanted or was on my way to getting it.6
Then my world collapsed. My company downsized and I went in the process. In a downsizing America, it seemed that I couldn't find anything to support my standard of living. My experience and education wasn't getting me back to the quality of life I had. I was losing my house and car. The acquaintances I thought were friends, had no more time for me. I was a loser. Worse, I felt like and believed I was a loser.7
I got two part time jobs that together gave me sixty hours a week. I lost my house and kept the car and got an apartment. My money just barely paid the bills. I was a minimum wage nobody. I was on the road to nowhere, or so I felt. I got myself a cat for company.8
The odd thing is, my life had really not changed much. I worked hard, had no real friends, and had my entertainment center and my computer. Sarah had more. She always came to work with a smile and a confident and pleasing personality. She rode a bicycle to work. She had her own apartment and she, too, had a cat.9
"What your cat's name?"10
"Shadow," I answered and smiled.11
"What kind is it?"12
"A Black American Domestic Alley cat."13
Sarah laughed. "Mine is a long haired calico. Her name is Cinnamon."14
"How long have you had her?" 15
"5yrs. Got her as a kitten. She's completely spoiled."16
"I've only had Shadow a few months. He's a smart cat. Opens doors and comes and goes as he pleases. He was about six months old when I got him."17
"How is it that you are so cheerful all the time?" I asked.18
"No reason not to be. I do a good job, get paid, and I have everything I want."19
"On minimum wage?"20
"I make a little more than that, but I have been here for a year."21
"But why are you so damn happy? You don't have a car or a house. You don't wear a ring, do you have a boyfriend?"22
"No. Not now," she paused. "I guess it is because I am happy with who I am and I am really happy. Aren't you?"23
"No. I used to have a new house and a good job. I can barely afford my car and insurance. I have to work two jobs to make ends meet. I used to be somebody."24
"You're still somebody."25
"Not in the eyes of most people."26
"You must be someone in your own eyes," Sarah offered. "It's all a matter of what you measure yourself against. If I did not exist, neither would the world so far as I would know. So, I consider myself as important as the world."27
"You have got to be kidding."28
"No, I am quite serious. No me. No world. No You. Nothing would matter anymore to you."29
"And this makes you feel that important?"30
"I am that important."31
"Is there nothing you would sacrifice yourself for?" I asked.32
"Is there anything you would sacrifice yourself for?" she returned and that really hit me. I didn't feel important, but I would not sacrifice myself for anything I could think of, 'cept maybe my cat or family. I had never realized how shallow I had become.33
"I feel that a person can do more if he is healthy and happy than if he punishes himself for some unsatisfying cause or person. I am a person who lives to be happy, and most the time I am. I am proud of who I am."34
"How can you be proud doing menial labor?"35
"I do my job well and what is more important than feeding people?"36
Well? I really had never thought of it that way. Eating was of some importance!37
"What about your future?"38
"A manager makes over forty thousand a year. I figure I can do all right here."39
Now there she had a very good point. That was not bad money. From there one could purchase a franchise, restaurant or make some other investment. 40
"Do you play Spades?" Sarah queried.41
"Not in some time."42
"Would you like to play tomorrow night?"43
"Okay."44
We played Spades for several hours; partners with another couple. Sarah and I were not a couple, just friends, but it was the most fun I had in some time. It was only the price of chips, dip, and drinks. That and a penny a point. I didn't lose much, but it was worth every cent.45
"Would you like to come to my place and watch a movie? Your choice," I suggested a week later.46
"I'd love it. Have you seen "The Second Civil War"? It is a rather serious comedy/tragedy about protecting the American dream for everyone including aliens. It has Beau Bridges, Elizabeth Pena, James Colburn, James Earl Jones, Phil Hartman and others."47
"Sounds good."48
When the movie was finished Sarah asked, "What did you think."?49
"Actually, in many ways I thought it made more sense than the first Civil War. The States' right to protect their integrity by refusing to permit forced immigration seems wise. Contrasting that with the conflict of the Governor of Idaho and his girlfriend and the president's ploys for popularity, made a tragedy into a comedy. It sugar coated some medicine we could all use."50
"I see then that you liked it," said Sarah51
"Yes, I am very glad you exposed me to it."52
"My turn next time," I continued excitedly. "I'd like you to see the "Lone Star State Of Mind". It has Joshua Jackson and Jamie King. It is an offbeat comedy about a small time robbery gone wrong, and the hero's efforts to fix all the resulting problems in small town Texas. It has hilarious moments, but a simple realisticness that makes it believable."53
We would go for walks, riding bicycles, to watch little league ball games and soccer. I began to learn how to be happy for free; a reality I had not known existed. I was promoted to service manager and quit the other job and began working full time. The money was about the same, but it went further. I had more time and most of it I spent with Sarah. She was always cheerful and refreshing and I believe I was becoming the same way. At work I would try to cheer and encourage employees and customers. I did the same with all the people with whom I associated. I was a new person. People, not things, were important to me. It seemed the more I appreciated and respected myself, the more I respected and appreciated others. I had time for people.54
Author notes
Juliet Turner - The song is 'Time To Spend', performed for me by Beverly Houston.
You can hear it at this link:
http://www.garageband.com/artist/TheStephensonCompany
Andy
In a list
A contest entry
- Happy New Year (yeah I know it's a bit late but oh well) by BluRobyn.
100 points, ended January 17, 2008, 4 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Friends, can be so different. by Mel-the-Believer.
175 points, ended May 1, 2008, 3 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Nothing left to lose by damnxrightxitsxanna.
425 points, ended November 26, 2008, 4 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Best of The Best *Romance* April Awards by Missi.
430 points, ended May 28, 23 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 53 of 53
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Hey
Firstly thank you for entering. It was a little cheesy, but the good kind XD
Good luck in the contest.
Thanks again for entering
iCats
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Hi there!
Cheesy? Yeah, and a little preachy, too, I think. Oh well, I have those moments. Did you listen to the song?
Thanks for hosting this contest. I hope you enjoyed it.
Andy
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that was really good=] I liked it=] It was probably one of the best stories I've read so far in this contest, I can't exactly be very critical with stories, so great job, and thx for entering my contest!
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Hi!
I'm very pleased that you like this story. Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
Andy
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It was really corny, but I like it that way. Seemed kind of short, but had a really good theme, nice vocabulary use. There was a nice happy ending and yeah.. good job, I usually try to give longer and better comments, but don't really feel like it today maybe i will add some more criticism later, but I wouldn't count on that too much.. well, overall i like it
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Thank You
Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
I appreciate any comments that I get
. I'm glad you like this story.
May you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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Luvyas
I like it ^_~ ( Sorry, I like to write SHORT comments..... )
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Thanks
Thanks for reading, commenting, and applauding. I appreciate it. I'm glad you like this story. Short comments are all right, but they need to be about a hundred characters in length to earn points.
Andy
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This was really good. I liked how you had their friendship, it was a sort of gradual thing. Nicely writing. Thank you so much for entering. Good luck in the contest. God Bless!
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Thanks Mel
Thanks for hosting this contest, letting me enter, and for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. I'm very pleased that you like this story. I felt like it fit really well, except that it was he/she friends.
I hope you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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This is a very hard story to criticise, I don't think I found any mistakes which is good because I hate being harsh.
I loved the message in the story,it was really clear and made me think about my own life and the society we live in (which is great, 'cos I don't think about it that often). I loved 'If I did not exist, neither would the world so far as I would know. So, I consider myself as important as the world' great line! Loved it.
Well done, great write.
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Thanks
I am very pleased that you like this story. Yes, that line is rather how I view myself in this life. I believe that we should love ourselves, and viewing oneself in this manner makes it easier. Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading, commenting, and all the applause.
Andy
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oooh. I liked this one. It was sweet, and simple.
great job. I don't think I found any mistakes, which means you did a good job polishing this.
Thanks for the wonderful contest entry. The best of luck to you! -
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Thanks Saej
Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it. I'm glad you found no mistakes and like this story. I wrote this story based off on a song which I wrote. If you have windows media player, I can give you a link to hear the song.
Andy
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Goodness, what can I say? Friendship can prevail, and pull a soul from the depths of eternity and bring them 'into the light' so to say. Wonderful write... I actually can't think of any constructive edits for you, though there was one point where I got confused as to who was speaking. L18-19, the narrator is speaking, caught me off guard since a new line was how you'd been separating different voices, and then you switched to separating different topics. Not bad, just confused my poor mind for a moment. Marvelous work, do keep it up!
-UBA-beginning: 4, language: 4, dialog: 3, characters: 3.
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Thanks, UBA
Thanks for hosting the contest. I hope you have a great time and many good entries. I'm pleased that you like my story. Sorry there was a spot of confusion. I will have to look it over. Thanks again.
Andy
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Thank you for entering my contest. This is a great peice of writing! I enjoyed reading it thank you. Good luck.
Penny x x x
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Thanks, Penny
Thanks for hosting the contest. I am glad that you like this. Thanks for reading, commenting and applauding. I hope you have many entries almost as good as mine and a lot of fun with your contest.
Andy
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Thanks, I am glad that you think it is a tremendous write. That's a lot of praise, Angel. I appreciate it. Now tell the truth. hehe.
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EXCELLENT WORK!!!!!
Ok, Andy, this is really good, and depicts the way "WE" Americans do to acquire what we want; many times leaving, abandoning, ruining not just our own lives but that of others...
Tremendous write!!!
AngelicMistress
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Thanks Jocelyn. I am glad you like, however I do not think it is wrong to be proud of your strengths, but one should be aware of the strengths in others.
Andy -
Thanks for your comment and applause. I am glad you like it.
Andy -
I used to date a Maria from Columbia. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them.
Andy -
This isn't fiction or romance it is a moral story and a very good moral story too. This shows a lot of things that I love. I might have to follow your moral and i will show and tell this story to people who were like the narrator was. I really think that you have brought out a very good way for people to be happy however
Only joking I loved this tons
You really did a very good job in this story well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria
PS: this was my fave bit, "How do you fix yourself when you don't realize you are broken" well done!!
Edited on Aug 25, 3:20 p.m. because ''. -
wow that was kind of weid that acouly sounds most like my life
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Excellent
Fantastic piece...aww but if we could all figure this out the easy way. A sign of the time and perfectly captured. -
Mmm... Is this true (I mean, did it happen to YOU)?
It's very true that the more you dislike yourself, the more unhealthy your relations are to others-- and you are in general. You've given me something to think about... this is a very good point about how to distinguish between self-respect and pride. If it strengthens your love for other people, it's self respect, but if it makes you treat others as less than yourself or unkindly, then it's pride. And you can't love or respect yourself unless someone loves you. You brought out some very nice points in this.
Literarily speaking, you're right it needs work. But 'tis a nice simple storyline. And happy endings aren't easy to beat.
--Jocelyn
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Did you like it more than my vampire?
Andy -
ha ha sometimes a simple story is much more fulfiling that a blood and gore story!!
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Andy- not trying to be a meanie here... But consider the best elements of fiction: compelling characters who, by the action of the story, undergo a transformation. And, yes, sometimes you must kill a character. One of the best short stories in modern fiction (much ignored and under rated) is Stephen King's "Mrs. Todd's Short Cut". A story told from the front bench of a small New England general store by a couple of old timers, that starts innocently enough, then draws you in deeper and deeper until you are hooked. King's method is to put his character's in a figurative box and the action of the plot is to see if they can fight their way out. Anyway, writing is fun. Be prepared to create and destroy, Make shit happen. Write to the intelligence of your readers. Pull the rug out from under the reader's expectations-- the resulting plot twists keep us interested. Love your characters like God would love them. I'll stay in touch. rut
Edited on Aug 23, 4:26 because ''. -
I am glad you like it, Rosita. Nobody got killed. I wasn't sure you would appreciate it. hehehe.
Andy -
I am glad you feel I am talented. Did you like the story? I don't know what I will write next. I wrote two more segments to the vampire novel over the weekend. I am trying to please my fans and they gave me new ideas for these writes.
Andy -
Ayten, I don't plan a sequel. I hope you will not be too disappointed. I may rewrite it, I feel it has much room to improve. I am glad you like it.
Andy -
I am very pleased that you like the story. You seemed to have absorbed all that I had hoped to convey and perhaps more. I think that makes you a very good reader.
Andy -
Judging by the way you didn't seem to like the story, I am surprised you commented; but thank you. I felt that story was rough and weak in places, but it is a change from my usual writing and I am making a change. Thanks for the advice and I will struggle to make my future writes more interesting.
Andy -
The writing choice is just from struggles within myself. I would like to meet someone, but I don't get out and do it. I have you.
Yours,
Andy -
I appreciate you reading my story and glad that you like it. What are your interests in writes? You would probably like my story "Tomorrows Do Come".
Andy -
I am glad you like it. I feel it is a little rough, but I was happy with the overall result. I am trying to find styles of writing that are popular, but not erotica.
Andy -
It is fictional, the characters are all in me. I wrote the story based on a song I wrote with the same title to explain the song.
Andy -
Thanks, I am glad you enjoy the story.
Andy -
Not really planning a sequel to this story, but I will keep it in mind. Glad you like it.
Andy -
very special story you have here with a great message for all... i would like to see more parts added to this... but thank you
~tara
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Nice story, actual and good for pondering. Nowaday, mostly of us are addictet to sit next to pc. You have a great vissin how life shoud to be. also, great finish:
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It seemed the more I appreciated and respected myself, the more I respected and appreciated others. I had time for people.
~Sonja~ -
ggoood
I liked this story very good is it real or fake I don't know but hey that's the way life works I hope you can hook up with sarah ha ha sounds like she showed you the optimistic side of life....I live my life happy too...no matter what... -
It's always fun to step out of our comfort zone and explore new and exciting areas for expressing our thoughts, emotions and creativity that flows from within. I hope you never stop exploring all the avenues of writing Andy. This is a comforting piece.
♥ Kimberly -
This is the first of your work I have read, and I enjoyed it. Easy style, easy to read, and a good ending to the story, well written.
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This almost sounds like a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type of writing. Due to the fact, the character meets someone who makes him a better person. He takes a realistic look at how he is living his own life and realizes he is living for all the wrong reasons. In fact, he changes his life to something more simple and free which is in all of us if we only let it be.
Also, spending time with others can allow us to compare ourselves and life styles. We can choose then if we want to change.
This does seem like a different style of writing for you, but then, maybe, someone you have met is allowing you to see things differently. Good job as usual. -
slow paced slice of life, story, nothing much happens except your share some of your views and opinions... and draw a large conclusion at the end... I suppose it's nice to be cheery, and to cheer people up and to respect yourself and others... but nothing much happens in the story, which should tell you that, while all of this obviously meant a lot to you, you need to work harder to make it mean anything to anyone else. But doing that you will truly demonstrate how much you respect and appreciate others... like your readers who don't know you and don't care. rut
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I really like this one. I'm one of those people who is always in need of human contact.. I couldn't live closeted away like that. It's amazing to see how meeting one person can change the way you look, not only at the world, or life... but at yourself as well.
This is really a beautiful look at the human psyche, and how coporate america numbs people to the outside world.
Very moving and thought provoking. Human contact and relationships are the most important things in this life. Great work! -
A very well written story. Very good. ^^
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Well it is definatly a different kind of writing but its good. I'm in the same point where i'm isolating myself from people. The story has a realtistic feeling to it and i can't wait to find out how they're going to get along.
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It was v different from all of your other stories, which is good. I can't wait to see what other things you come up with. You have wonderful talent and I think it's a good idea if you try new styles for the stories.
Always and Forever,
~Kendal -
I do like, hmmmm this is awesome Andy, though I'm not much for hanging out with people.....it's still good! YAY FOR ANDY!!!
Rosita!
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