It was the kind of night that begged for action. A cool breeze flowed through the leaves of the trees on Main Street, but there was still the memory of the heat from the summer. While everyone in town enjoyed the first chilly night of the year by strolling down the street, I was stuck with my leg propped up on pillows; crutches at my side.
From my vantage point, I could see all the happy faces. I scowled deeply as I saw my girlfriend rush by my window in a bright orange sweater. Even she had abandoned me to my doom! Stubbornly deciding that I was not to be left out of the fun, I grabbed my crutches and hobbled out of my apartment door.
I took a deep breath and thanked the heavens that I lived so close to the action. The doctor said that I shouldn't be on my feet, but I have to eat. I quickly decided that a trip to the restaurant down the street would cure my blues and fill my stomach at the same time.
What should have taken five minutes ended up taking me 15, and I was winded by the time I reached the doors to the restaurant. The waitress looked just as excited to be stuck inside as I was, but was still friendly when she sat me down at my table.
After enjoying a warm cup of coffee, I settled down to enjoy my massive plate of fries and hamburger. But, after just one bite, I felt myself gasping for air. As my vision faded, I saw the waitress rushing to my side and the cook reaching for the phone. That was the last thing that I remembered before the world around me went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, the plates around me had been cleared. I looked around and saw other patrons of the restaurant, eating as though everything was normal. Confused, I reached for my crutches only to find that they were missing. But, to my surprise, the cast on my leg was also gone.
Quietly, I stood to my feet and walked to where the waitress was taking an order.
"Excuse me," I said, attempting to tap her on the shoulder.
She completely ignored me and continued taking the table's order. I took a few steps back and waited for her to finish. When she turned, I once again attempted to speak to her, but she still ignored me. Angrily, I blocked her path when she tried to step toward the kitchen and was left speechless when she walked through me.
"What was going on?" I wondered. Frantically, I tried talking to the other people in the restaurant only to find that they also did not respond to my queries. At this point, I was in a bit of a fog and found myself aimlessly walking around the restaurant. Suddenly, the door opened, and I saw my girlfriend walk in.
Every person in the restaurant turned her way, and tears filled her eyes. I rushed to her side and attempted to get her attention. But it was not to be. I followed her to the table that I had been sitting at originally and sat across from her eagerly.
That was when she started talking to me.
"I can't believe that you are really gone," she said, with tears in her eyes.
I stared at her as she continued.
"I never expected to lose you this way. We were supposed to be together forever!"
The waitress hurried to the table with a box of tissues. She placed her arms around my girlfriend and allowed her to sob on her shoulder.
I was dead! The reality was slowly sinking in, and I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe it. I screamed. I hit the table. I attempted to shake my girlfriend's shoulders. But nothing seemed to work. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of those blasted crutches lying under the edge of the restaurant's bar. It must have been left there after emergency workers had tried to save my life.
Furious, I stomped to the bar and scooped up the crutch. My anger fueled my ability to move the crutch, and I could see that the people in the restaurant had noticed. I could visibly see the fear on their faces as the crutch moved in my hands. To them, it was moving on its own, but I knew better.
Anger filled my body, and I slammed the crutch to the ground, screaming at the top of my lungs. As the noise left my mouth, rushing wind filled the restaurant. It was strong enough to break every window in the building.
I watched as the people in the restaurant began screaming and running from the building. My girlfriend looked toward the crutch and sadly followed the others. I felt a maniacal grin form on my face. If I could do this, I could do anything.
I attempted to follow the people from the building but quickly discovered that the world outside the restaurant was off-limits to me. An invisible barrier seemed to keep me from leaving the building. I screamed in frustration and shook the door to the restaurant. The people outside screamed and moved further away.
Suddenly, an idea formed in my head.
"This is my moment," I thought. "I will become famous from beyond the grave!"
With that thought, I stepped back from the door and resolved myself to wait for those who would attempt to prove my existence to the world.Â