Hours

Minute 1

/ Dedicated to lydia, creator of the beautiful cover on the right / :)

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I'm one of the lucky ones. Most of my childhood friends are gone, they've long since moved

away.

I'd taken this walk to work for the past 15 years, leaving my home at 4 am. What others call lonely and dispiriting, I'd describe as invigorating and life-affirming. I have the pleasure of seeing my city at its wondrous, peaceful best.

Just as it always does, the streetlight flickered as I passed by. I walked to Big Al's Newsstand. He's not open yet, but Al waits for me to knock three times and then he unlocks the door, hands me the paper and we talk while he brews the most amazing pot of coffee.

Quickening my stride, I passed by what used to be Folly Park. Today, only two benches remained. In my mind, I can still hear the sounds of my kids playing there. I played there too as a child. It's a new office building now. The gleaming metal and hundreds of windows looked down on me. It was beautiful, but it was cold and unfeeling.

I waved to Joe. Our first meeting was by chance when I stopped a man who tried to steal his boots as he slept. In colder months, he stays at the shelter, but as soon as the weather breaks, I find him on his corner. Don't call him homeless though, he says he prefers to be called, free.

"Be well my friend," I called to him.

"Goodspeed to you and your family," he nodded knowingly.

One block away was my friend Killer, the most ferocious looking Rottweiler I'd ever seen. Every morning for the past few years, he's kept watch on his porch and I stayed on the other side of the street. At least I did until a skunk sashayed my way. It was either be sprayed or take my chances with Killer. He turned out to be the sweetest dog I'd ever known. We've greeted each other every morning since.

I paused briefly to touch the trunk of the old oak that offered some refuge against sudden, unexpected downpours.

My luck had run out. Relocate or get pink slipped.

"Today is my last day," I said aloud to no one. I inhaled deeply and let out a sigh, letting the words sink in. I spotted a child who looked like me when I was a boy. I followed him into the alley. He gave me a sad smile and then disappeared, leaving only a note where he once stood.

"I've watched you grow into a respectful, loving man, who can find the beauty in life's imperfections. The time has come for you to move on and start anew. You will be missed. Signed, The City."

I blinked away a tear. If I hurried, I could still catch Sam on the 4:35 bus. I want to say goodbye. He'll wait a few minutes for me. He knows I'm coming.