Henry Carter and The Observer
It was fifteen past 6, which made Sandra a half-hour late to see Henry at the Aroma Café. It was late afternoon and the sun was fading down in the trees, where barely any light was coming through. Henry was checking his phone since a minute ago, and no messages from Sandra of being late.
Henry and Sandra have been dating since they were in the midst of college, and hit it off since their first full conversation they had. Their first date, first kiss, and the first time they said “I love you” was the greatest moments he has had in a long time. He took something out of his jacket breast pocket, a small black box. He opened it, and what was revealed was a diamond ring, shining an orange ray with little of the sunlight left shining on it. He talked to his father about this decision and he told Henry “The Only way you know is when you’re ready is when you want to be totally selfless, never thinking about yourself but of her”
Henry always had thought of her, in every way possible.
He slightly put his head up, and saw Sandra walking through inside the door. Frantic, he quickly closed the box and put it back in his breast pocket. He signaled her and Sandra saw it, where her eyes lifted from some kind of trance. He began to walk over to her. He kissed and hugged her, then looked into her eyes, and something didn’t see right when he looked into them. They were not the same bright glow he used to see everyday. He raised his eyebrow. “Is something the matter Sandra?”
Just then Henry could feel Sandra’s spirits dropped down. Her arms felt weak, and he could sense something was wrong. “I need to tell you something Henry…”
“What is it? Is something wrong?” he asked. He motioned Sandra to sit down at the nearest table. They both sit down, and Henry tried to grab her hand for comfort, but she pulled her hand back. Henry didn’t like this at all.
“I’m so sorry Henry…” Sandra began. She had her head down, her voice gloomy. “I know we have been together for years, but these last few months haven’t been what it usually has. You been so fixated on this book you’ve been writing, having to give up your job because of it and well, you haven’t been the same.”
“What are you trying to say here Sandra?” said Henry, his voice anxious.
“To the point, I see. Fine I’ll just drop the bombshell then. I’ve been seeing another man Henry. One that can support me and make sure we can work out also financially. I can no longer be you with Henry, Goodbye”
That was all she said to Henry, and then she walked right out of the Café and entered in the passenger seat of a high priced car, where a man with slicked back hair wearing also a high priced suit. The Car drove off, leaving Henry in the Café, holding onto his chest, where the black box was.
It was now twilight, and Henry was walking down the streets of the city, sulking grimly. He could not believe what had just happened. The woman he had fell in love with, couldn’t live a life with him with just love. She needed someone who had more than one suit and an expensive car, living in a penthouse condo. She needed someone with money.
I am going to have money, thought Henry. I just need to finish my novel, and I’ll have enough money to have two condos.
As many times Henry thought about that scenario, he knew it was slim to none chance his novel will be a New York Times Bestseller. You needed a book with great characters, thrilling conflicts, and great moral. All he wrote so far was a man down on his luck met the love of his life. That would be a great bestseller, if he just got a good plot to go with their love, then he would be in business.
But now he knew how the man in his novel felt, down on his luck with nothing he had to live for. He had no future, no love, and soon no place to live. Henry is ready to just go back home and work for his father’s auto shop.
“Hello there, kind gentleman,” said a voice from behind Henry.
Henry turned around and saw a man in a brown trench coat over a black suit, wearing a black bowler hat with a white band going around it. He looked a little younger than his father, but still older than Henry. His facial features were round, his cheeks and chin, with a small stubby nose. He wore a faded brown mustache, almost hiding his upper lip. He also had a very long black cane with the head the shape of a lion. Henry had never seen such a character, one with such a strange vibe.
“Hello, do I know you?” Henry asked.
“No, not yet that is. You my good man, look like a man down on his luck.” he said with such formality.
Henry gave a crooked frown, and said, “You can say that. Women problems. I think you can fill in the rest.”
The man raised his head and nodded “Yes, yes, the women you loved, the one you were about to propose to left you for a man that can support her. Correct?”
Henry’s face lit up, but in surprise. “How did you know about that? Who are you?”
The man raised his hand to calm Henry down. “Now, now, my good man. You don’t have to worry. They call me by many names, but the one I am known best for is The Observer. I have been watching you Henry Carter, and I’m offering to give you another chance at what you just lost.”
Henry turned his head in confusion. Who is this man? What did mean by giving him another chance at what he just lost?
“What are you talking about?” he asked, in an undetermined tone.
The Observer smiled and said, “Come with me kind sir, and I’ll explain everything” and he walked into the Alley he was standing behind.
