I told myself that at 4 pm I will be happy.
I sat and stared at the wall, listening to the clock tick it’s tock. “4 pm,” I told myself, “Then it’ll all be alright.”
I could be patient. Especially if there was a reward in sight. I really, truly could wait. I looked at the clock and my heart did that thing where it presses into your ribs. It was now 3:30 pm. Soon, I would be happy.
I turned back and continued staring at the wall, listening to the clock tick it’s tock. I pondered all the things I would do with my new happiness: laugh, go out, make friends, and maybe even become beautiful. I had heard happiness was crucial to beauty.
In my excitement, I quickly glanced at the clock again. It was now 3:50 pm. I was beginning to feel it! Slowly, it was coursing through me. If my skin could, it would be glowing. This was the beginning. I was going to be happy in some time.
I stared at the wall some more, eager for time to pass. With every tick and every tock, my heart pressed harder and harder into my ribs.
Following my rough estimates…I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled, and slowly tilted my head up towards my good old clock.
It was still 3:50.
The thin little stick- that damn second’s hand… it wasn’t moving.
It betrayed me by getting stuck.
It wasn’t letting me get to 4 pm.
I mumbled angrily, got dressed, and headed out to the supermarket to get new batteries.
FreeRovingBovine 