This was it. My life was about to flash before my eyes. I decided to throw it all away and thought, hey why not stand in the middle of a frickin’ thunderstorm. Certainly different. And quick. Painless, hmm, I wasn’t sure, but too late now. By the time I walked back it would be over. So, time to embrace it. I wanted this. To end it all!

Hey, I’m over here! These lightning strikes keep missing. It’s been over an hour. What gives?!!

“It is not your time.”

What in Alcatraz was that stentorious voice just now? It hurt my ears a little. Damn! “What do you mean, not my time?”

“You have more to do my child.”

More to do? What is he talking about? I decided to finish it—by definition there is nothing for me to do.

“Dan, ego is the devil’s plaything. Be not guided by it, but by who you are.”

Okay, is this a joke? You know my name now? And who ARE you—a talking fortune cookie? Yoda? I’m sorry, I like Grogu better... You know what, stop talking and hit me already. Yeah. HIT ME!

Dan runs around the misty field, willing a bolt to hit him.

“Love your neighbor, Dan. As it is written.”

Damn! This is for real? This was the point, to check out and NOT have to… love my neighbor. The hell, man.

“Yes, it is not too late to avoid such a fiery fate.”

Cut it out, seriously, I cannot believe this. Fine! Fine, dammit. I’ll help him. I’ll do it.

At that moment, the thunderstorm subsided and the mist cleared. Dan knew what he had to do.

——

Dan made the arduous journey back to civilization. Back home. It took several days and now here he was. How did this happen? Whatever? He knocked on John’s door, his next door neighbor for the last 20 years.

“Hey John.”

“Hey Dan.”

“I just want to say. Ummm, I came here to say.” Dan gritted his teeth, willing the words to come out.

“I forgive you for scratching my car.”

“Oh yeah, thanks Dan. You’re a swell guy. One question, though? When did I do that? I don’t remember ever getting near your car.”

Dan pulled out an object from his back pocket. On it were two names that could be made out clearly—Smith and Wesson. He aimed the 9mm at his temple as a show of defiance. Then pulled the trigger of the empty gun. Then, without another word, he walked away.

John looked at him go, saddened at what he just saw, and walked back inside. Turning to his son, he said, “Billy, Dan is real upset that you scratched his Vette.”