Get Your Premium Membership

Fate of A Race Car Driver


Jeff kept dialing his wife and she wouldn't pick up. "Honey, where are you? I'm at the hotel now. Love you." He then heard a knock on the door and ran to open it, expecting to see Jill but instead there was a mid-fifties guy in business suit asking if he could have a word with him.

"What about? I'm really tired, just finished a race you know."

"I know, that's precisely what I need to discuss with you. I promise it'll take five minutes maximum."
"Fine, come in."

"Congratualtions on your victory," said the guy as he sat at a table and withdrew a thin file from his fancy briefcase. "Here it is," he said, cleared his throat and read from the file, "according to our report at exactly eleven thirty nine and 32 seconds you were about to hit the wall and then a miracle happened and your car veered back on the road and you finished first, am I right?"
"Well, yes, who are you? Insurance agency?"

"Not exactly, You're very lucky you know. Only one in ten million get their wish granted."
"What are you talking about? I didn't make any wish."
"I understand, but your wife did."
"She did?! How dod you know that? Who are you?"
"Ed. My name is Ed. But that's not really important. What's important is that your wife Jill saw the accident about to happen and instantly wished for a miracle to save you and, as I said, it was granted, which is the good news."

Jeff stared at the man with a sense of disbelief, now wondering if he was dreadming all this.
"Is there a bad news?"
"I'm afraid there is," Ed replied as put the folder back in his briefcase and stood to leave. "You see, when you were getting the trophy, your wife saw you winking at one of the cheerleaders and she got upset and wished that the miracle hadn't happened."
Jeff interjected, "Oh I see. Now I know why she's not here. Where is she? Do you know?"
Ed responded, "She is at the bar downstairs. Don't you worry, she is fine, but."
"But what?"
"Well, you see, her second wish was also granted, meaning that the first miracle will now, in roughly five minutes, expire."
"Expire? Why?"

"I already told you. Your wife became jealous and suspected you of having an affair with that lady."
"But that's absurd. I had something in my eye and it was twitching. I wasn't winking at any one."

"Oh well, that's a pity. I'm sorry. I must go, have an urgent appointment somewhere else. I was just here to confirm the basic facts. Nice meeting you."

Dumbfounded, for a moment, Jeff's eyes simply followed Ed exit the room and walk toward the elevator. But before the elevator's door closed, Jeff ran to Ed and implored him, "Look, this is a giant mistake. I wasn't winking at anyone, I swear."

"I'm so sorry, but it's too late now."
"Too late for what? This is nonsense. I'm going to..." But before Jeff could finish his sentence, the elevator door had closed and suddenly he felt a massive chest pain and dropped dead.


Comments

Please Login to post a comment

A comment has not been posted for this short story. Encourage a writer by being the first to comment.


Book: Reflection on the Important Things