Time Lapse with an Earth Angel

I don't think I will be able to make it on time today. This was the second time in a row. I really can't believe it, did I not set the alarm on my watch again. My boss for sure is going to call me into his office and chew my head off. Racing through these busy streets on my scooter is definitely not ideal, however its way better than traveling by foot or public transportation. So, I thought then I decided to take a shortcut through this alleyway that most people never like to go through due to the history of others getting robbed or just being harassed. I did it anyway, despite the possibility of anything happening to me. Hey what are you doing here? said an old man.

This grungy and what appeared to be a homeless guy popped out of his tent from nowhere as I turned the corner. His words didn’t stick or alarm me as much as I continued on my way. As I look down, I realized my battery on my scooter was depleting rapidly. I needed to save some juice on my scooter and ignoring my first instincts I began walking to the end of the street. My headphones were still on while playing some old jams. The nagging distraction, of this man trying to get my attention waving his hands frivolously in the air. “There’s no way-out young man, I’m trying to tell you”. He said while I walked right passed him. Sir I am just trying to get to work, what are you talking about? I said to him in a non-cholent way. Ah huh you just think I am crazy, an old man just trying to confuse you and, and scare the mess out yah. I know what I saw. The old man said frantically.

As I approached him, he noticed the slight grimace of expression on my face. The hesitation was a non-factor at this point as I wanted to find out more information. I am going to be late for work, can you tell me why I shouldn’t walk down there? I asked him. He looked puzzled at first by my question but his curiosity led him to speak up. “I won’t take up too much of your time”, he muffled under his breath. My eyes seen it all, a young man about you age the same clothes that you are wearing right now with the very same music device. He was just passing through and he kept on walking along with his scooter and just disappeared into thin air. He said with concern in his voice. “He disappeared; you hear me. He cackled. Poof right into the air. At this very moment I was thinking he was a certified nut case. “Alright old man I think I heard enough of your shenanigans and fairy tales of a guy who looks like me just vanishes into thin air. You’re going to make me late for work and this is the closest route of a short cut to get to my job. So, if you would excuse yourself and just allow me to be on my way, thanks for nothing.” I looked back a little as I proceeded to head to work. Mumbling to myself, God I am Ready! as I slowly made my way pass him. Not too sure if he overheard me thinking out loud.

Walking halfway down the alleyway the old man mutters to me. “He always come back, not always himself but a different version. It’s like he’s trapped in a time frame. When he returns, he always come back this way? He spoke. I began to walk and just before I ended this dramatic conversation with this delusional man. He blurted out, Michael was his name that’s what he told me, yes Michael. Who’s Michael? I yelled. Suddenly I felt a slight discomfort in my throat as I waited for an answer. All I can think about was getting focused into forward thinking and just having that immediate disappointing conversation with my boss. The thought crossed my mind that today was going to be the day that I will get written up for my tardiness. “Well young man, Michael is your name do you not remember?” He gasps at me with a slight astonishment in his tone. “Umm, um I do know my name is Michael”, as I stuttered to tell him with confusion. It was probably another Michael you spoke to. No, I am sure you were the person that I spoke to, he said. The realization came to me that the old man was trying to help me. Maybe I was overacting just a bit, this morning seemingly felt like a long day when in reality it was not even 10 am yet. What’s happening to me right now? I said to myself.

The old man continues to get my attention with conversations that I could not recall. That morning I saw you coming from around the corner heading down this way. In the same outfit as today. You looked upset so I didn’t want to bother you. You did however, had a brief conversation about wanting to change your life and circumstances. Wanting to get a big break and at least a do over. He replied. I don’t remember that conversation and I most certainly don’t remember you, I told him. Today is the day Michael that you can make a drastic change in your life. You’ve been walking this same road for the past month and still haven’t learned a valuable lesson until this very moment. Don’t you see? said the old man. Please stop with all of this nonsense that isn’t making any sense at all. I said with some irritation. Before you over react just think really hard about the time you walked here and told me your burdens in life and said that you would be so much happier if things could change. And I told you that there is a possibility if you believe, if you truly believed, did the hard work and most importantly to just say these words; I am ready.

I’ve seen many people take this route time again repeatedly, it is called; The route to Fortitude Success, he said with enthusiasm. However, no one has ever caught on to their mistakes or even stopped for guidance. Michael, you did and I am here to help. Okay so now you’re an earth angel that can determine people paths in life; I chuckled a bit. What kind of game are you playing with people lives? Huh, what’s in it for you? I asked him. There’s nothing in it for me, besides saving people lives and putting them on the right track. You did say that you’re ready, I over heard you say it. “This can’t be real”, I said. The old man slapped me in the back of my head and laughed. Is that real enough for you, he smiled. Ouch! I guess so, I replied back sarcastically. Right now, you’re are currently in a paused time loop, that’s why you keep repeating the same route. But today you have a choice; you can either rewind time and start a whole new path or you can fast-forward time and forget that this ever happened. The choice is yours Michael. I paused in shock and couldn’t even fathom that this was even happening, like am I really talking to an earth angel.

Alright let me think for a second, I said. Pacing a bit back and forth, I dropped my scooter to the side and sat down on the pavement. This is it, I told myself. I’ve waited for this day for a very long time and it’s finally here. I took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes and pondered through my thoughts for a few minutes. I got up and said, Okay, old man I have an answer. He turned to me and said, what is your answer, Michael. Well, I thought long and hard and I decided that I want to fast-forward my time, I replied. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Just keep in mind that if you fast-forward time, you can’t go back to your past and what you know now will no longer exist. And if you decide to rewind time you will relive your past with a different outcome because no one really knows what the future holds. I understand, but life is about changes and growth and what I did in the past I no longer want to have any regrets because those decisions that I did make whether it was good or bad was the choice I had to make in that moment, I said. I learned what I needed to learn in the past and I am ready for a brighter future.

Michael, it seems to me that you’re are ready. All you have to do is walk all the way to the end of the road and your new beginning will be there. I got up with excitement. With no hesitation, showed my gratitude and thanked the old man for all of his help. By the way, what is your name? I asked. Well Michael most don’t know because they never asked. But you did, my name is Peter. How can I ever thank and repay you back Peter? I asked him. No need for that right now, you will know when the time comes. Just continue to walk into your future. When you can no longer hear my voice that's when you know you have made it to the other side. Good bye Michael, he said. I kept on walking as he was talking, I turned to say good bye but he was already gone. I just walked until I reached the end of the road.

Suddenly my alarm woke me up as I rushed with speed to get ready for work. I took the same route this morning and decided to take my scooter with no shortcuts despite the major traffics and some delays along the way. I made it to work on time, even a 10-minute early grace period to spare. Everything seemed normal and just an ordinary day. I went inside my office to drop off my things and head to the pantry to get a cup of coffee. Most of my colleagues were already there preparing for their morning as well. Before I knew it my boss saw me and notion me into his office. Hey Michael, its good to see you, would you have a few minutes to spare? said Mr. Clover. Sure Mr. Clover, I can meet with you now, I replied. I walked into my boss’s office and took a seat.

His views from his office looked immaculate and so calming. He told me to have a seat and we began chatting. I just wanted to say that it’s been a pleasure having you on our team Michael, thank you for your services you have been such a great employee to our company. Because of you and your dedication our business has exceeded beyond our expectations. And with that being said, I wanted to offer you a higher position within our company. I must have been in a daze as my boss was talking to me. Because I was so shocked on what I just heard. Michael are you there? He spoke. Yes, sorry I spaced out a bit, but yes, I will take you up on that offer. Wow, this is so monumental for me, thank you so much. You deserve it Michael and no thank you, he said to me. We shook hands and I went back into my office to recap what just happened a few seconds ago. I thought to myself that my life has suddenly changed drastically right before my eyes because I was open and I was ready.