Tree Blooms

I could hear the birds outside my window. They were singing without a care in the world. Their song filled my dingy apartment from wall to wall. What I wouldn’t give to be one of the birds sitting on the ledge of my window at 6:30 in the morning at the top of this cement four-story apartment building in the bustling city.

A bird could fly wherever it wanted. It could go see whatever it wanted. A bird's day was not planned and filled with back breaking labor. Oh how I wish I were a bird.

I opened my eyes fully. Looking around my apartment I was reminded that I was yet again waking up to barely make ends meet. I went through a checklist in my head of everything that needed to be done by tomorrow. There were the groceries, rent, car payment, and let’s not forget setting aside my meager $10 for travel.

Every paycheck I set aside a small amount and called it my travel money. I have big dreams of seeing the world. One day I want to sell everything and not look back. I’ll see Greece and London and Italy and definitely a beach. Maybe Hawaii.

For now, that dream is just a glass jar on my bookshelf next to my diary. Both collecting dust and seemingly insignificant.

I currently work as a butcher in the city. I don’t exactly make the big bucks doing this job, but it gives me what I need to make ends meet. I refuse to put on a suit and sit in an office looking at a computer screen day in and day out.

Everyday I haul heavy meats and cheeses on and off of trucks and deliver them throughout the city. Some days, when the sun is shining, I get to take my bike out for deliveries. Those are my favorite days. Today, the sun was shining.

In the corner of my room were my trusty Converse high tops. I threw on my jeans, my blue and purple striped sweatshirt, and grabbed my Converse. On the way out of the front door I grabbed my breakfast sandwich and my bike helmet.

I could feel the sunshine on my skin today. It had been a cold winter and this was the first day it was warm and sunny. The wind from the bike was the perfect breeze that made the hairs on my arm stand up. With a deep breath I could smell the bakery that works one block up from the butcher shop. It smelled like today they were making fresh bread. This day seemed to be off to an unusually pleasant start.

I pulled up to the butcher’s and there was the head butcher already sorting the meats and cheeses for the day. He was a tall man who never said much, but had the kindest heart. He never turned down a chance to give someone in need his food. Today, his short brown hair was sticking up out of the sides of his chef's hat and his belly bounced while he sang some Italian tune. His eyes lit up as he saw me walking through the doorway and he handed me the daily delivery list.

Heading towards the back door, I had to stop and grab some of the butcher’s famous salami. It was one of my favorites. It was best with the Italian breadsticks. The breadsticks were crunchy but full of flavor. I grabbed the bag with the first delivery and crunched down a breadstick while hopping onto my bike.

I decided to ride by the river today since it was so nice and it was the direction of the first house. I could see the buds on the trees so close to blooming. The air seemed full of possibility and wonder.

Not far ahead of me, there was an older man. I could tell he was writing in something, but I couldn’t tell what. As I got closer, I saw he was writing something in a little black notebook. I thought to myself how peculiar that was since it wasn't even 8 o’clock in the morning yet.

I carried on my way. The first delivery was just up ahead. It was a woman who ordered from us quite frequently, so I knew the way well. I came upon the house and my brakes squealed from a slight rust that had developed over the wet winter. I placed the package on the porch and turned back to my bike to head to the second delivery.

As I started my journey back, I noticed the older man was gone, but he had left his black notebook. I decided to pick it up and return it to him if I saw him back in the area. As I got closer, there was a note on top of the book. It read, “If you find this, open the book.”

Curiously, I opened the first page. There it said, “You are curious. If your interest is piqued, find yourself at the height of time.”

The height of time? What does this mean? Surely this doesn't mean me. Does it? I am always looking for adventure. The height of time? Of course! The tall clock near the city center! I hopped back on my bike and raced to the tall clock.

I approached the clock and saw there was a symbol on it. Where had I seen that symbol? Aha! It was in the journal! The symbol was a small circle with a dove on the inside. I opened the journal to the second page.

Now that you have found the time, look for the matching symbol. Under the symbol is a key you are looking for.

The symbol! I rushed to the dove and, sure enough, there was a small gold key taped just under it. What could the key be for? I fumbled for the notebook and hurried to page four.

The lock you are in search of is found within the walls of the First National Bank.

The First National bank? The First National Bank off of Second Street! I leaped onto my bike and pedaled through the crowd towards the bank. I wasn’t quite sure what I would find there, but I had a feeling it was aligned with the blooms on the trees - full of possibility.

My bike clattered to the ground as I raced inside the bank. Inside stood a bank teller with silver hair and clothes without a wrinkle. She held her nose in the air as if she smelled something putrid. I slung the key on the counter, nearly out of breath. She saw it and suddenly a twinkle came across her eyes and her thin lips grew into a smile.

The bank teller waved for me to follow her. I quickly went around the small desk between us and followed behind her. We turned into a small office and she took her seat behind a desk. She used the gold key to open a drawer underneath and she pulled out an envelope and a letter. She handed me the letter first.

So, you have found the letter and envelope! What is inside the envelope may very well change your entire world. It is to be treated with great care and thought. The other thing you must do upon accepting this envelope is to keep the little black book. You must write down everything the envelope gives you and return the book to the bench.

I looked up at the bank teller and she pushed the envelope towards me. My hands were trembling with anxiousness. I slowly peeled open the envelope. I looked inside.

$20,000.

There was $20,000 in the envelope!

I closed my mouth as I realized my jaw had dropped. I looked at the bank teller again waiting for her to realize she had handed me the wrong envelope. She nodded and ushered me out the door back towards the front of the building. The envelope was mine. The money was mine. I had yet to comprehend this.

As I reached the heavy glass front door, I looked back once more to see if there was a security guard chasing after me to get back the money. No one was there. Even the bank teller had gone on about her business.

I leaned into the door and felt the sun shine on my skin again. The breeze fluttered across my arms. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This time it felt different. The possibilities felt real. The blooms were no longer just on the trees.