Robert’s Renewal

By C.R. Merz

Just a few more moments and I would be off to the dinner date I had so meticulously planned weeks in advance. As I tidied up the remainder of my inventory into its designated space, my manager walked in as he usually did to inspect my progress.

“Impeccable work as ever Robert,” he said.

“Thanks, boss, I was hoping to leave a touch early,” I said smirking.

“About that,” he paused. “I am going to need you to stay late, our closer called in,” Tim said somberly.

I stood there looking at him for what felt like a year.

“Are you serious Tim? You know I’ve been planning this date for weeks,” I huffed.

“I’m sorry Rob, I just can’t close this store by myself, and you always deliver exceptional work,” Tim said.

“Man, I can’t believe this,” I stated, pacing.

“Look, with the celebration being today I will even close early. Can you push the date back an hour so we can take care of things here?” Tim begged.

“Tim, you owe me big time,” I said pointedly.

I walked to the breakroom of the store and opened my phone, which housed a squirrel sticker Tiffany had given me, each click of a number making my throat swell up in frustration.

“I’m so sorry Tiffany, something came up at work. I don’t think I can make it to dinner in time,” I said.

“Don’t worry about it, we can just meet up at the Big Big Tree for the Black Cat Day festival tonight. It is totally fine,” she said.

I closed my phone to end the call and sat on the chair in the breakroom.

“I can’t believe that of all the days it had to be today,” I thought to myself.

It didn’t take long for Tim and me to get the store in working order. After carrying the last set of boxes to the back, I could see Tim poke his head around the corner.

“What do you want?” I said.

“I’ve got the rest of it Rob, so why don’t you head out now? Thanks for staying late,” Tim smiled.

“Yeah, yeah. I have some time before the celebration so I think I will use it to hit up the Fortune Teller Parlor,” I said mildly frustrated.

“Best of luck man,” Tim said as he locked the store's door behind me.

I got into the car and twisted the key, starting the engine. It was always best to let the old girl run for a bit, so I fidgeted with a squirrel plushy Tiffany had bought while the car warmed up.

“I wonder what her obsession is with these things,” I turned the squirrel around a few more times. “I guess they are kinda cute in a rodent sort of way,” I said amidst a chuckle.

 After what felt like ages, I was able to throw it in gear and headed towards the Fortune Teller. It was a pretty ride through town passing by the BBT Bar and some black cat shops celebrating the event. A few minutes later I arrived at the Fortune Teller Parlor. Looking at the clock I could see that I had an hour before I needed to be home to pick up the necklace she’d given me for the festival.

As I walked towards the Parlor, I could see a couple smiling and holding hands as they got into their car. I couldn’t help but be a little jealous. Tiffany could have been here if I wasn’t late.

“The show must go on,” I sighed.

I knocked on the door and a pleasant and joyous voice rang from inside the building.

“Come on in, my child,” Lauren chirped.

“Hey Lauren, I was hoping you had some good news for me after the rough day I had,”

“Hmm, late. That doesn't happen very often with you, son,” she said as she held my hand palm up.

“I never understand how you can tell all that by just looking at my hand,” I said in awe.

“A wise teller never reveals their secrets,” she said, winking. “What can I do for you, child?”

“Well, I was hoping you had some good news about making it to the festival tonight.”

Lauren looks at my hand more closely and takes a moment to ponder.

“Hmm,” she emoted.

I gulped, knowing that couldn't be good. My brain now racked through the possible horrible outcome she may have been about to predict.

“Ahh,” she exclaims. “An unwelcome sign betrays the outcome of tonight's events. Look beyond the exterior meaning and you will find comfort in the things in which you once found pain.”

I paused and looked at Lauren for a moment.

“Ok, what is that supposed to mean?” I inquire.

“It wouldn’t be much of a fortune if it were spelled out plainly, now would it?” she said, patting the top of my hand.

“Ugh, I wish it were simpler than that,” I said.

“The things we must learn to think deeply about often bestow upon us the greatest blessings, my dear,” she said, hushed but friendly in tone.

I tilted my head back and looked around the room. I noticed a squirrel filigree amidst the cats.

“Is that new?” I asked.

“Ah yes, the squirrels. Friendly little creatures who work hard and often signal renewal. I love their balance between duty and playfulness,” she cheerfully explained.

“I guess so,” I said while looking at my watch. “What? It's been over an hour?”

“Oh dear, time sure does fly,” she remarked.

“Thanks, Lauren, but I have to go,” I exclaimed.

I ran out of the Parlor and into my car.

“I don’t have time to let you warm up,” I said in a panic.

Fortunately, the car ran just fine. I drove as fast as legally possible to make it home. I need to have the necklace Tiffany bought me or I would look like a jerk.

I zipped into the driveway, slamming on the brakes. I turned the car off. As I jumped out of the car, I stumbled in my flustered state. I regained my balance and headed towards to front door as I flipped through my keys. Inserting the house key, I whipped open the door and made a beeline for the kitchen counter.

“I know it’s here somewhere…come on, come on…” I said, growing more desperate with each word.

Finally, underneath a pamphlet showing the Black Cat Day Celebration schedule which read End Ceremony beginning at 19:00, I located the chain necklace Tiffany had given me and put it around my neck hurriedly.

“Argh, 19:00 is in, like, 15 minutes. I can’t be late again,” I shouted.

I ran towards my door and whipped it open, then ran towards my car in the driveway. Two feet from the car I heard a shriek and squeak from below my feet.

“A squirrel!” I exclaimed.

Nearly stepping on the creature, I shuffled quickly to avoid it, only to be chewed out by the furry little beast.

“Ugh, I don’t have time for this,” I scoffed.

After regaining my balance, I jumped into my car and inserted the key, twisting it with vigor.

Click and then nothing. I twisted the key again, and a click was all I could hear.

“AHH,” I screamed and slammed my hands against the wheel.

My mind began to race. “How am I supposed to make it in time? That’s nearly a 20-minute walk...”

The squirrel jumped on the hood of my sad, dead vehicle. I poked my head out the window and chastised the squirrel.

“Get out of here, you rodent,” I snapped.

The squirrel again chewed me out before hopping away. I kept a close eye on it, making sure it didn’t return. As I followed the squirrel with my eyes, I noticed a sign that read Spring Special Segway Rentals starting at $19.99.

“That’s it,” I exuberantly stated. The segway rental store near the Fortune Telling Parlor was only a five-minute minute run from my house.

I ran as fast as I could and managed to make it there in three minutes. Sweat pouring and through puffed breaths, I made my way to the counter for the rental.

“One segway as quick as you could, please,” I requested.

“Of course, let me just run the rental papers,” the cashier smiled.

The wait felt agonizing. Looking around, I noticed the cashier wearing a squirrel pin on her lapel.

“These squirrels with be the death of me,” I thought.

“Alright my dear, the paperwork is now done. Yours will be the first on the right,” she said as she handed me my set of keys. “Wait dear, you may want t--”

I was already on my way out before she could finish the sentence. I saddled up the segway and headed full throttle towards the celebration. Looking down at my watch I could see the time was 18:55.

“I am so close, only about two--,” my ramblings were interrupted by a low screeching sound. As I looked down the battery gauge turned red, and the image of a sad face appeared on the screen followed by the words low charge please connect to the charger.

“Seriously,” I huffed. “I guess I’m running.”

I could now see the top of the tree, which invigorated my cadence. Nearer I drew to the top of the hill, sensing the commotion of the celebration above. As I crossed the top of the peak the rumblings of the crowd fell to a dull murmur. Troves of people were now moving past me.

“Did I make it too late?” I somberly said.

I frantically looked through the crowd in an effort to spot Tiffany but to no avail. As the crowd poured past me, I again looked at my watch, the time reading 19:10. No one remained at the celebration.

“It’s only me.” My voice began to waver. “You’re late again,”

I reached to grab my chest. My grip clutched the chain necklace Tiffany bought me. It snapped with a metallic click.

“Damn it, not only do you break your promises, but you break gifts too!” Tears began to well up in my eyes as I looked at the broken chain on the ground.

“You idiot,” I stammered through tears.

“Who, me?” an all too familiar voice chimed.

I quickly turned around to look at where the voice came from. A moon-wrapped silhouette glided with great elegance from behind the tree.

“I figured you would be late. Good thing my fortune was right,” she teased.

I could see a necklace in her hands that held the image of a squirrel.

“Renewal, huh?” I smiled through red eyes.