Ethan Keith Curry

Chary

As a middle-aged man sifted through a drawer of junk, he grazed something cool and smooth tucked along the bottom. With familiarity his hands withdrew a little black notebook worn from use. The pages were tattered some with coffee stains and others with salt from the ocean. There was a spark in his eye as he perused doodles, impressions, fears and woe. In that moment, he could feel just how taxing it was to save for the engagement ring and cash flow for the wedding. As he turned the page, he chuckled at the outlandish claim, “World’s Greatest Pilot!” Knowing full well, he had flown only a few hundred hours. A few pages further, there was a long-forgotten mistake that nearly cost him everything. Under his breath he muttered, “Why did you have to be so proud?”