A Wealth of Words

I hauled the cart over to the next aisle. Grabbing a stack of books, I placed each one in its spot. Eventually, I reached the classics section. Edward, in his usual spot, didn’t look up. He kept his head buried in one of his Greek mythology texts. On the table next to his lay a little black book. I stopped the cart and reached for it. I fanned through the blank pages. Halfway through I caught a glimpse of an image, stopped, searched for it but couldn’t find anything. Strange. I opened the cover to the inside and saw no name. Turning to the first page there was a single question, ‘What would you do with a million dollars?’ I looked up and caught Edward staring at me.

“This yours?” He shook his head and returned to his book. I caught a glimpse of a woman with a child on her knee on the page in front of him. The child held what looked like a cornucopia. I tossed the notebook on my cart and walked away.

+

Seated at my desk behind the checkout counter, tasks completed, I found myself looking for something to do. The book came to mind and I retrieved it. I flitted through the pages once more, but no image appeared this time. I placed it on the desk and left it open at the question. What would I do? I grabbed a pen and the tip hovered over the page. There were so many things I could do with a million dollars. I could finally go to school. Get new clothes. Help my family out. Thinking of this last one, I began to write,

1. Help my parents with their mortgage.

2. Help Darin with his debt.

3. Give where there is need.

I hesitated, and finally wrote a fourth item,

4. Finally go to university.

I leaned back, examining the list. If only.

+

The next day I rifled through my bag, looking for my nametag. I moved the book around and noticed it was thicker. I opened it up and found a bundle of bills in the back pocket. I glanced upwards, checking to see if anyone was nearby. I pulled out the large stack. This was a lot of money. Taking another quick glance around, I counted it.

$7,540.00.

When I got to the end of the bills, I found a cheque. It was for $86,437.68. It was addressed to no one. How was this possible? I shoved the money back into the pocket and thrust the book back into my bag. I placed the bag where I usually put it, distractedly getting back to work.

+

I sat in the living room armchair, gazing outside the window, my thoughts on the mysterious money and its origins. “Cayde!” I snapped back to reality and looked at my mother.

“Sorry?” I responded.

“Come help.” Picking up my bag I moved to the kitchen. Entering the room, I gingerly placed the bag down at my feet against the island. As I reached for the knife to start cutting up vegetables, I noticed my younger brother Darin’s eyes quickly dart from the bag on the ground back to his task. He and mom continued their conversation.

“So your mortgage is nearly paid off! That’s great!” he exclaimed.

“Well, nearly paid off is overstating it. We still have a good chunk left, but we should be done in two or three years if we stick to the plan.” Mom responded.

“That’s awesome! I’ve almost got my own debt paid off, but hopefully it’ll be gone by the end of the year! A little over seven and a half grand and I’ll be free!” I was ripped from my daydream, his words becoming crystal clear.

“Sorry. How much did you say you needed?” I asked.

“A little over seven and a half grand. I know it’s a fair amount, but I made some stupid decisions a few years ago. Been paying the price ever since.” I turned to my mom.

“How much is left of your mortgage?” I asked.

“Oh, I don’t know exactly, close to a hundred thousand.” Her face showed the curiosity of my questions. Money had never been a preoccupation of mine.

“But exactly how much? Do you have it written down somewhere?” Her face showed concern at the intensity I suddenly displayed, but we were a close family and kept very little from each other. She washed her hands and walked to the office. I could hear rummaging through one of the desk drawers and then she walked back into the kitchen moments later.

“The mortgage is for $86,437.68. Why do you ask?” I slowly put down the knife, grabbed my bag from the floor and moved towards the front room.

“I’ve got to go, I just realized that I have some work that needs to get done by tomorrow that needs some final touches. Sorry, I can’t stay.” I left the house, oblivious to my family’s objections.

+

I dropped the two letters into the mailbox and walked towards the university. The cheque and cash for my family were now on their way. I couldn’t tell them where the money came from, so I sent it anonymously. How would I explain how I got it? I walked back towards the university library. Passing the administration building, I paused. I pulled the book out of my bag and opened the back pocket. Inside sat a cheque for $80,000. An hour later I walked from the university’s admin building, a future student.

+

There was little that could bring me down. I greeted students happily while in the library, I hummed while returning books to their shelves, and even silenced loud students in a cheerful tone. A few days after sending the letters I received an excited phone call.

“We got a cheque in the mail for the exact amount of our mortgage!” I congratulated my mother and we spoke for a few more minutes, the excitement beginning to affect me even more. When she hung up, I smiled and reached for the black book. I opened it up to the first page and froze. It had changed. The million dollars was gone and in its place was $913,562.32, and the first point had been stroked off.

+

The next few weeks saw the little black notebook with me wherever I went. When I saw someone in need, I wrote it down and the money appeared in the pocket shortly thereafter. My spare time at work became devoted to finding information on the mystery. Where did it come from? And how did the money appear?

+

Visiting my family, my brother wanted to surprise me. He led me to his room, and I was horrified to discover a new tv, gaming and sound system. All of which had been non-existent at my last visit. I stormed out without a word.

+

As time went on, those around me were suddenly blessed with money. The book, and steadily declining number, was always within reach. If I saw a need, I wished for it and was able to lend a helping hand. But I was careful, I made sure to provide the money in ways that could not be abused. After all, I was trying to help them, not amplify the problems they already had. My brother being the perfect example.

+

Late for work one day, I quickly found myself justifying the need for a car. If I get a car, I’ll be able to help people with errands and give them rides! And so, a car was added to the growing list of things I would do with a million dollars.

+

The next day, a cheque appeared, and I biked to the nearest car dealership. I walked around admiring the many new models. One in particular stood out, a sleek new sedan. But the cheque I had been given didn’t match the price. I continued my hunt until I found the corresponding tag. Rather than the sleek, brand-new car I had wanted, I found the car in the used lot. It was a few years old and had clearly seen some life. I found a few dents and scrapes, along with far fewer amenities than the one that had originally caught my eye. This wouldn’t do. Carefully making sure that no one was watching me, I opened the book, stroked out the last request and replaced it with ‘A brand new car’. I placed the check back into the book pocket and when I opened it again, the amount had changed.

+

As time went by and the money dwindled, I held onto the book more tightly. As I would go about my usual day, I began catching furtive glances wherever I went. No longer comfortable with leaving the book alone, I carried my bag wherever I went. Slung across my shoulder, it played passenger regardless of convenience.

+

After an evening with friends, I was on my way home, having just dropped off the last passenger, and absentmindedly reached for the book. My eyes lasered to the spot. The book was gone. I yanked the wheel to the right and came to screeching halt. Where was it? I thought panickily. I searched frantically. I hopped out and whipped open the back door. Who took it? I searched the back seat. What did they do with it?! I reached under the seat and my fingers wrapped around it. An instant flood of relief rushed over me. And realization settled in. I had never been this suspicious, this quick to judge, this paranoid. Although I had been given this opportunity to help others, it had changed me. And not for the better. I thought to the many requests I had made. Money for family. For friends. But mostly for myself. Even in moments when I had been generous with others, I knew that it would still benefit me. And now, the money was changing who I was. Rather than being satisfied with what I had, I wanted more. I wanted better. And I had started to distrust those around me who had given me no reason to. I got back into the car and started to drive. I didn’t stop until morning.

+

I grabbed my long-unused bike the next morning and rode to the library. Entering the building, I wound my way through the bookshelves, eventually reaching the table where this had all begun. I pulled the book out of my bag, opened it, and wrote one final request. Over a hundred thousand dollars was left but I no longer wanted it. Not if it would change who I was. Who I had been. And how on earth had I spent nearly a million dollars?! I shut the book, placed it on the table and walked away.

Exiting the library, I noticed a stranger sitting on the steps. They looked disheartened. I began walking by them but paused for only a brief moment. I sat down next to them and asked if I could help.

=

Edward watched with interest as Cayde put the book down on the table. There was no hesitation. He was done with it. Cayde turned from the table and walked away. Edward moved to the book and picked it up, flipping through the pages and stopped in the middle. The image of a cornucopia stared up at him. The requests that Cayde had made were sprawled across the many pages, but it was the last request that interested him. He looked up at the receding figure and smiled. Good choice, he thought to himself. He flipped through the pages one last time, and the words began to fade. The final comment that had been written, ‘To be generous and kind regardless of how much money I have’, was the last to fade. Edward dropped the book back on the table and returned to his usual spot.