For Writers' Group : The Calm

I suppose it's high time to do the required bit of legal gunk. Edmond Hillary, when asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, responded: "Because it was there." This is why I write...because an idea gets stuck in my head and won't leave me alone unless I "exorcise the demon" by putting in on paper or computer screen. Should you ever get unhappy with my writing choices, please keep these things in mind. These are my thoughts. Blogger is only responsible for the initial weird paragraph-format, but Blogger et al. is not responsible for the content of the paragraphs. You don't have to like everything I write. I'm just fine with constructive criticism on grammar, story structure, fine tuning and tweaking, but I won't backpedal for every thought process that led me to my story. You can get downright riled and grumpy with what I write, but here's the deal. Skip a paragraph, skip the section, wait a bit and read the next installment. Or don't. That's your call.

I generally try to play nice, even if it (kills me or ) costs me some really juicy blog stories, but when I write for myself, it's because the train of thought won't leave me alone. I get amused with a train of thought and want see where it will go. I post the stories I am the proudest of, and I don't expect you to think as I do. I do suggest, that if you have enjoyed my blog in the past, that you just keep an open mind...If these shadows have offended etc., etc. I may not always write something that you will enjoy tremendously, but I can say with absolute certainty that if you come along for the ride, sometimes I will.

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THE CALM
copyright August 2007
Still working out formatting issues. Sorry.


A man stood in front of a small mirror and fidgeted with his clothes. His dark eyes were serious, strained and wincing slightly at the edges -- a sure sign of an impending migraine.
"Can I just say again what a really bad idea this is. I mean, you know what's going to happen." He tried to glare at his friend's reflection in the mirror, but it was pointless. His friend sat calmly on a nearby chair, as relaxed as the first man was agitated.
"Oh, I have a good idea." replied the second fellow.
"Do you? Do you realize what you're doing to me?" groaned the first man miserably, noting, and halting the slight whine that had crept into his voice."I've spent my entire life following the rules, just getting through the day. Hell, " And here, his migraine began to throb. "You were the first real act of rebellion. You know that if I go, it will all fall apart. The arguments won't stop...the guilt trips, the constant recriminations...Honestly, I don't think that I can take it."
The second man moved from his chair, and stood behind the first, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"I wouldn't have asked you if it weren't important." said the second, his warm eyes catching his friend's in the mirror.
"Well, couldn't you have asked one of the others to do this? I mean, Pete --"
"Pete," interrupted the second man. "Pete is a good guy...I'd go so far to say he could be one of the best...eventually...but he's also arrogant. He'd want to do this his way, and that means not doing it at all. And the others would just follow his lead."
"But why me?" asked the first man, trembling. "Surely Somebody's got to be more qualified for this type of ...thing." He trailed off.
"It isn't really the sort of thing that I can advertise." mused the second man. "Besides, of all of them, you've known me the longest. If I can't trust you, what's the point." The first man flinched.
"Trust me?" The first man retorted angrily to the mirror. "You throw all of this into my lap because you TRUST me?!!! You've got to be kidding me. I feel so honored."
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you." said the second man quietly. "I trust you, as you have always trusted me. I won't lie to you. This isn't going to be easy...it may...be very...hard...for you...perhaps hardest for you most of all."
"You think?!" replied the first man sourly. He turned abruptly, finally facing his companion. "You may think you know all of the angles, that you know how this will all turn out, but what happens if you're just kidding yourself. You know them. You know that they can't even sit down at a table without jockeying for position. No, they aren't really a bad lot, but you are the glue that holds this project together. Without the right direction, they will fall apart." The first man tugged at his collar to loosen it. He caught himself, and forced his hands hands to his sides...only to unconsciously tug at his belt. His eyes continued to throb. He took a breath, and when he spoke again, his voice was even and calm. "They won't be able to stop themselves. You've kept them focused, but how you've kept all of those plates spinning year after year...settling all of those endless, petty, pointless squabbles...It's beyond me."
"They're only human, little brother." murmured the second man. "And to be old and wise, they must first be young and foolish. Even if they break apart, they'll find their way in the end."
"Do you really believe that?" growled the first man.
"I have to believe in something. Man's better nature has helped us out of difficult times before."
"You say that, and yet you still plan to go through with this." whispered the first man, swallowing hard.
The second man took his hand in both of his own, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I've got to believe in other things too."
The first man shut his eyes, to ward off tears...and perhaps to keep from seeing the inevitable."I'll do it. You know I'll do it." His voice was soft. It hurt to say the words aloud. He opened his eyes, and tried to offer his brother a weak smile.
"Thank you." said the second man simply. "I'm sorry for all of this, but thank you."

They stood for several minutes in silence, before the second man shook himself and gave the other man a lopsided-grin.

"Come on, Judas. We wouldn't want to be late for dinner."