Joana Neves

A Simple Wish

It was a miserable January day, rainy, cold and grey. She was almost arriving at work. She felt trapped, wishing that the bus journey would last forever, feeling the sinking hopelessness of another work day in a job where she was miserable. If only she had enough money to at least live a happy life outside of work, but no. Sarah was on less than minimum wage, washing dishes, with the world’s weight on her shoulders. Just turned thirty and had nothing to show for herself. No career, no savings, no partner, no actual belongings, except for a few bits and bobs, and the dreading realisation that the world was near its end. Global warming was progressing faster than ever and modern society was falling apart. “If only time would stand still for a minute!” she whispered. Time was beginning to run out on her. At her age, her mom was already married with kids and with a good job. Sarah couldn’t be farther from that reality. Days, months and years would go by while she was stuck in this never ending routine.