Wish - Late

"It started with a dream I had," she said quietly to the bartender. Her fingers traced a line in the counter top. "Something made it unusually vivid. It was probably just painkillers, but I felt nothing. There was... nothing to feel. I knew that there was no hope or relief, no end of the tunnel or shining light. Though there was nothing, every direction I pressed, I felt resistance, like invisible walls. I woke up that morning and that feeling, or the lack of feeling crept into my soul. I can't describe it any more than crippling depression, despite how cliche that sounds."

The old man filled a tall glass with whiskey and slid it over to the last patron in the bar. She sighed, took a sip, and continued her story, "I probably could have laid there for the rest of my life. I concentrated on my heartbeat for a minute or two. Feeling it somehow changed my perspective. If there was nothing everywhere else, then I was something. It kind of sounds conceited, but I was the only something. I could decide what was something and what was nothing. Sort of. I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this."

He chuckled to himself. "I'm very grateful for what you've done for me. The least I could do is listen to your story. I really would like to hear it."

A distant smile lingered on her face, her eyes semi-focused on the glass in her hands. "I still don't understand the limitations, but I- I guess I make dreams come true. The one wish that stands the strongest in your heart can come true. Something I do makes it happen. Don't tell anyone though. I don't think it'd be good if people found out it."

"That's it? That's all you're going to say? You're being a tease," he said, clearly enjoying himself.

She stood up and slid the bar stool forward. With a smile she said, "I'm the last person your bar will ever serve. You can retire now. Why not get an early start? Besides, my ride's here."

She waved and walked out, the cold air filling in behind her. It would be the last time he felt the winter's chill.

--

"Hey Sylvie. How did it go?"

The girl looked back to the door, that sad look on her face masked by that sweet smile. "Just the way he wanted, I would say." She sits down in his car and rubs her hands together to fight of the cold. "So did you think about what you wanted yet?"