Grit
01-13-2011, 04:58 AM
I biked home through dastardly thick snow last night. I knew it was going to be an adventure of legend, biking home that night. A winter’s tempest was beginning to brew as I arrived at Carris’ Nursery and Garden.
As I worked my shift, stocking the floor with two-foot tall garden gnomes, and loading baskets of lush plantation into entry-level economy cars for old ladies, I watched the parking lot outside quickly fill with snow. Soon, there were no more customers. The wise Miss Carris approached me after an entire hour passed and not a single customer entered our store.
“I’m going to head home Aris.” She told me, as she wiped dirt off her hands onto her dark green jumpsuit. “Mind closing up?”
I straightened my back, “Miss Carris, I trust you will dine well and rest easy this evening. It will be my honor to protect your humble shop. ” I finished my pleasantries with a bow. A true gentleman.
I escorted Miss Carris to her vehicle, where I opened the door for her. She smiled when I said “M’lady.” Then she got in and drove away, and I stood in the parking lot for a moment longer. Beautiful, pure, white quiet covered everything. It was mystical.
I stood at the beginning of the ragged outside, staring out at the variety of shrubbery that are sold in the outdoor portion of our nursery. An urban forest, a place of bravery and courage. Of honor and loyalty. Even of legend and lore…
A knight in shining armor rode a stallion, his noble equestrian champion. I dismounted and entered a pristine cobblestone courtyard adorned with flowers growing from its cracks. A stunning princess sat in the middle, weeping. The knight lifted his helmet. I asked her why she’s weeping when she’s so fair. She tells me her father has chosen who she shall marry, and he is despicable. I tell her not to worry, that I will take her away from this place and together live a life of luxury and high culture, off my jousting tournament winnings of course. Aha! She giggled and wiped her tears away, unable to resist smiling. She told me her suitor was a very strong man, an infamous warrior. I told her that I am superior in every way, especially in the dance of battle. I wielded my sword and then displayed my technique for her, slashing and dicing the air ferociously. She gasped at every swing and stab. My footwork became complicated and I spin, swinging my sword in a semi-circle behind my back, and then dropping to one knee.
“Could you help me move my car? I got stuck in the snow.” Elder Samson said slowly, standing only a few feet from a seed fountain.
I slowly rose from one knee then remember my duty and turn to him with a snap, straight-backed. “Elder Samson, there is no other path, you must sit immediately. Not to worry, I will carry this task out for you with haste.”
I strode quickly into the shop and dodged past an antique soda machine and launched myself over several rows of mine folk. Before long, I was braving the elements, wielding the snow shovel I had quested to the back room for.
I drove my tool clean through the crisp frozen white, my hands red and throbbing. I had to work quickly, as cold will defeat even the bravest hero. Elder Samson was counting upon me.
After a long battle, I had conquered all snow surrounding the tires, and had developed some minor battle scars along the way.
I re-entered my shop to find that Elder Samson had fallen asleep on a cream-colored garden bench and was now snoring contently. Ah, yes, another of mankind may sleep easily thanks to the sweat upon Edwin’s brow. Infinitely satisfying.
I woke Elder Samson with gentle words “I’ve rescued your car from peril, Elder.” He woke with a violent shake of his head and sat up like a shot.
"What, why w-who?” He said and looked around dazed.
He looked at me and then stood awkwardly, looking outside. “Why thank you, young man.”
Then he was off, a god-loving man again. I glanced at the clock and realized it was eleven-thirty, so I quickly cashed out, locked the till and wheeled my bike out of the back. Then I locked the front door and turned towards the storm, it’s flecks of cold tickling my face.
A meager man may fear his fate, in this weather, but not Noble Edwin. For his steed knows no obstacle, desert nor snow shall slow his tire!
As I worked my shift, stocking the floor with two-foot tall garden gnomes, and loading baskets of lush plantation into entry-level economy cars for old ladies, I watched the parking lot outside quickly fill with snow. Soon, there were no more customers. The wise Miss Carris approached me after an entire hour passed and not a single customer entered our store.
“I’m going to head home Aris.” She told me, as she wiped dirt off her hands onto her dark green jumpsuit. “Mind closing up?”
I straightened my back, “Miss Carris, I trust you will dine well and rest easy this evening. It will be my honor to protect your humble shop. ” I finished my pleasantries with a bow. A true gentleman.
I escorted Miss Carris to her vehicle, where I opened the door for her. She smiled when I said “M’lady.” Then she got in and drove away, and I stood in the parking lot for a moment longer. Beautiful, pure, white quiet covered everything. It was mystical.
I stood at the beginning of the ragged outside, staring out at the variety of shrubbery that are sold in the outdoor portion of our nursery. An urban forest, a place of bravery and courage. Of honor and loyalty. Even of legend and lore…
A knight in shining armor rode a stallion, his noble equestrian champion. I dismounted and entered a pristine cobblestone courtyard adorned with flowers growing from its cracks. A stunning princess sat in the middle, weeping. The knight lifted his helmet. I asked her why she’s weeping when she’s so fair. She tells me her father has chosen who she shall marry, and he is despicable. I tell her not to worry, that I will take her away from this place and together live a life of luxury and high culture, off my jousting tournament winnings of course. Aha! She giggled and wiped her tears away, unable to resist smiling. She told me her suitor was a very strong man, an infamous warrior. I told her that I am superior in every way, especially in the dance of battle. I wielded my sword and then displayed my technique for her, slashing and dicing the air ferociously. She gasped at every swing and stab. My footwork became complicated and I spin, swinging my sword in a semi-circle behind my back, and then dropping to one knee.
“Could you help me move my car? I got stuck in the snow.” Elder Samson said slowly, standing only a few feet from a seed fountain.
I slowly rose from one knee then remember my duty and turn to him with a snap, straight-backed. “Elder Samson, there is no other path, you must sit immediately. Not to worry, I will carry this task out for you with haste.”
I strode quickly into the shop and dodged past an antique soda machine and launched myself over several rows of mine folk. Before long, I was braving the elements, wielding the snow shovel I had quested to the back room for.
I drove my tool clean through the crisp frozen white, my hands red and throbbing. I had to work quickly, as cold will defeat even the bravest hero. Elder Samson was counting upon me.
After a long battle, I had conquered all snow surrounding the tires, and had developed some minor battle scars along the way.
I re-entered my shop to find that Elder Samson had fallen asleep on a cream-colored garden bench and was now snoring contently. Ah, yes, another of mankind may sleep easily thanks to the sweat upon Edwin’s brow. Infinitely satisfying.
I woke Elder Samson with gentle words “I’ve rescued your car from peril, Elder.” He woke with a violent shake of his head and sat up like a shot.
"What, why w-who?” He said and looked around dazed.
He looked at me and then stood awkwardly, looking outside. “Why thank you, young man.”
Then he was off, a god-loving man again. I glanced at the clock and realized it was eleven-thirty, so I quickly cashed out, locked the till and wheeled my bike out of the back. Then I locked the front door and turned towards the storm, it’s flecks of cold tickling my face.
A meager man may fear his fate, in this weather, but not Noble Edwin. For his steed knows no obstacle, desert nor snow shall slow his tire!