My Work in Progress

Here is a story I wrote for a creative writing class. I would love any comments or feedback. Tell me what you think about the message of the story.


Carpe Diem

Leonard Hamilton was about five feet seven inches tall and one hundred and fifty-five pounds. And he never lived a day in his whole life. Leonard had one of those bald heads that wasn’t completely bald. The top of it had absolutely no hair, but the sides and back were bursting with hair…albeit graying hair. In fact, if he were wearing a hat he would appear to have a whole head of hair – which may explain why Leonard refused to completely shave his head. Underneath his tie, only visible when he would lean over slightly or a light breeze would lift the bottom part of his tie was a light maroon stain. Leonard Hamilton’s customary noon-time meal was his favorite – a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Leonard always tucked his tie into his shirt when he ate. Ties are more expensive and harder to clean than shirts.

Leonard adjusted his tie. His horn-rimmed glasses had a smudge in them. He removed his handkerchief from his shirt pocket and cleaned them, carefully refolding and replacing the handkerchief when finished. As Leonard approached the secretary’s desk he clicked his pen. A young man, one of the delivery guys, inclined his head over the secretary’s desk as he spoke with her. As Leonard passed he muttered, “Hi, Destiny,” voice cracking mid-sentence. The gorgeous secretary didn’t even notice. Mr. Hamilton continued on to his office to continue his work.

Edward Bronson & Company is a respected accounting firm that deals with many high end clients. The world thinks accountants are boring. However, many of the senior accountants at Edward Bronson live very exciting lives. Carl Larue (everybody calls him ‘Chesty’ because at one point in his life he had enormous pectoral muscles), for example, is employed by three actors and two professional athletes. John Featherbottom (who everybody calls Long John) handles the finances for the CEOs of Yum! Brand, Kraft, and General Mills. Clients always invited those two to parties. Since accountants are only busy for roughly four months of the year (tax season), clients often allow Chesty and Long John to use lavish summer and vacation homes.
Leonard does not have these luxuries. When Edward Bronson & Company started landing their first high end clients, Edward needed somebody to oversee all of the regular clients. With the promise that he would be able to fast-track his way to partner, Leonard volunteered for the job…that was 25 years ago.

The daily routine is always the same…it never changes. Leonard Hamilton comes in to work at exactly 8:30 a.m. (30 minutes before anybody else) and leaves for his lunch break at exactly 12:20 p.m., returning at 1:00 p.m. A forty minute lunch break allows Leonard to complete an extra return every day. After arriving from lunch, Leonard always completed two more returns and then prepared the paperwork for the next day. Today was different. Everybody has a breaking point, and after 28 years Leonard reached his.

“I am going to leave early today,” Leonard told Chesty.

“Alright, just make sure you get all of your returns done on time. We can’t afford to lose your people, you know the little ones.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Larue. I will –“

“I go by Chesty.”

“Yes sir, um…Chesty. I will do my best to make sure nobody is lost.”

“Don’t do your best – make sure nobody is lost.”

Today Leonard decided to leave work early. He could not continue the routine today. He rose from his desk, buttoned the top two buttons of his three button suit jacket and strode out of his office. The delivery man was still leaning over Destiny’s desk. Now he was playing with her hair. Leonard half-waved, “Goodbye, Destiny,” he said as he left. Nobody noticed.

“Where to?” asked the cabby, whose name badge said DosiTnaI ka AadmaI.

“I don’t know…”

“I guess that depends on what you want.

“Well I’m not sure where I want to go.”

“Then it won’t make much difference where I take you, will it?”

“Just take me to a place where normal people go after a day at work.”

“All right man, it’s still a little early, but most people head over to O’Malley’s pub.”

“I don’t know if that is a good place for me to go. I mean I’ve never taken a drink in my life.”

“That’s where we’re headed then,” replied the cabby.

“All right…for lack of a better option, let’s go.” This was the first spontaneous act of Leonard’s life…and he had to be talked into it by a cabby.

“Where does your name come from?” Leonard asked.

“It is Hindi.”

“What does it mean?” asked Leonard.

“It means Man of Destiny. But you can just call me Dos.”

“That’s weird,” thought Leonard. “A man’s destiny is to spend his life driving a taxi?”

****
Leonard arrived wasn’t sure if he should sit at a table or the bar. Believing it to be more logical that he only take one stool at the bar instead of an entire table on the floor, Leonard weaved between the empty tables to the far side of the room. The bar lined the far wall and Leonard sat on a stool.

After several minutes, Leonard flagged down the bartender...there were three other people in the bar. This was par for the course.

“What can I get ya buddy?”

“Well, what do you serve that is non-alcoholic?”

“Um…I think I have some O’Doul’s, water, and some juices,” said the bartender.

“Alright, I guess I would like some cranberry juice, it helps to keep kidney stones away,”
Leonard said.

“There you go, friend. Enjoy the war on stones.”

Leonard drank two cranberry juices and one club soda. A very attractive brunette sat down next to him.

“Hello, how are you?”

Leonard was startled by her beauty. She had long strait black hair. The hair framed her face like a picture. This made it very easy for Leonard to notice her eyes, which were a color almost impossible to pinpoint. Were they blue, green…hazel? She was very curvy with long legs.

“Um…well, er…I’m okay. How are you?” Leonard removed his glasses with his handkerchief and started to clean them.

“I’m great now…I’ve got a few more things left to do, but I figured it was a good time for a break. What about you?”

Leonard worked at a lens with his thumb.

“Wow, you’re quite the talker, huh? I mean you’re really good at this conversation thing.”

“You’re teasing me,” said Leonard.

“And you’re sharp-like a pencil!

“It’s a good thing I approached you. Otherwise this, what are you drinkin – club soda – might have gotten the best of ya,” the woman said.

“Well I do have to say it is pleasant to interact with a new person…especially somebody so…um…never mind.”

“No! You’re not allowed to do that. Once you start sayin something, you’ve gotta finish it. That’s my life rule,” The woman declared.

“Well I’m not sure I want to say it…it makes me a little uncomfortable.”

“Those are the best things to say!!! They take you away from the ordinary.”

“Well I was just going to say that it is nice to talk to somebody so…pretty.” Leonard said, trailing off to almost a whisper by the time he finished the sentence.

“See that wasn’t so bad was it? I appreciate the sentiment by the way. You seem like an interesting person.”

“What’s your name?” asked the woman.

“Leonard Hamilton.”

“Well Mr. Hamilton it’s nice to meet you. My name is Maria Creador del Destino Robinson, but you can just call me Maria.”

“That is an interesting name you have,” acknowledged Leonard.

“Thank you. My parents strongly believed names should stand for something.”

“What does your name stand for?”

“Well,” said Maria, “Creador del Destino means ‘Creator of Destiny’.”

“Wow, I like that.”

“I enjoy it; it reminds me that I am in charge. Do you believe we can create our own destiny?” Maria asked Leonard.

“I guess I’ve never really thought about it,” Leonard said.

“Do you believe that what you are today is the result of every decision you’ve made in the past?”
“I guess that makes sense,” responded Leonard.

“How do you feel about that?” Maria asked.

“A little depressed, actually. I never knew the decisions I made when I was younger would create the situation I’m in." Leonard thought for a moment, "If I could do it over again I would.”

“What if I told you that you could?” Maria said, her flirtatious smile replaced with a solemn look.

“What do you mean?” Leonard asked.

“I mean what if I told you I could help you relive your life?”

“If you’re telling me what I think you are…then I would have to say somebody spiked my club soda.”

“I’m serious Leonard; we didn’t just meet by chance. It wasn’t mere chance that ‘Destiny’ was hired as the secretary two weeks ago, nor was it chance that a ‘Man of Destiny’ drove you to this pub today at this time. Neither is it chance that the ‘Creator of Destiny’ sat down next to you. I have the ability to help you change your past and improve your future. THERE ARE NO COINCEDENCES.”

“Okay. Maybe this is why I don’t talk to new people very much,” Leonard said. “I don’t really know what you’re doing, but if I leave now, I can still put in a couple hours before the day is over.”

“I’m not playing games with you!” Maria said sternly. “I want to help you…all I ask is that you humor me for thirty seconds.”

“Well today has been a day of firsts. I might as well play along with a crazy person for the first time in my life.”

“Thank you. Now, can you think of a time that you would like to go back to in order to make these changes?”

“I guess if I could repeat high school I would do things a little differently.”

“Alright, that’s all I needed to know – have fun, and don’t forget that what you become is a product of your decisions when you are young!”
With that sentence Maria snapped her fingers and before Leonard even knew what had happened he heard a bell sounding.

****
Leonard knew the date immediately, May 9, 1968. He couldn’t believe he was actually back in high school. He felt the hair on top of his head. He knew the exact date because this was the day Amanda Egan transferred to his high school, and he was staring at her right now. She was seated in the seat directly in front of him. He had never spoken to her in his life. Through two-and-a-half years of high school and eight classes with her, Leonard Hamilton had never uttered one word to Amanda Egan.

“Maria really knew what she was doing!” Leonard thought. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the teacher in front of the class.

“Remember class, your research papers are due on Friday. These papers count for fifty percent of your grade and we will be sending them along with your test scores to the universities you have chosen.”

“Crap!” thought Leonard. “I knew I would do things differently if I could do it again, but this is something I didn’t count on. I have to do all the work again. This research paper earned me a full-ride to the university…this isn’t something I can afford to do differently.”
One thing that Leonard did manage to change was his name. When the teacher for his classes called roll, he asked to go by Leo. He had grown to dislike the name Leonard…it made him feel old. However, Leo was a great name. This shocked quite a few students; first of all to actually hear Leonard Hamilton speak when he wasn’t answering a question was unheard of. But also, he was asking to be called Leo! Even Amanda Egan noticed him.
After school Leonard went home. It was so weird to see his parents and brother again…especially so young.

“How’s your paper coming along, Leonard?” His mother asked.

“Oh you didn’t hear mom?” Leo’s brother Mike asked. “Leonard’s going by Leo now!”

“Well, isn’t that interesting. Okay, um…Leo…how is your paper coming along? I know you have been putting a lot of effort into it. I know how badly you want to get into that university.”

“It’s coming along great mom, I’m sure I’ll get accepted.”

“Well, Leo, if you ever find time away from your books, there is a party tonight at a friend’s house. I think that new girl, Amanda, is going to be there.”
Leo remembered this conversation he had so long ago. He badly wanted to go to this party and get the chance to speak with Amanda. In the end he decided he would have plenty of chances to speak to Amanda in the future, but only this one chance to complete the paper that would send him through the university. Just as he was about to respond to Mike, he remembered the last words Maria had told him, that what a person becomes is the product of their decisions of youth.

“Why not? I guess I could go to that party. My paper is in pretty good shape anyway. I’ll find time to finish it later.”

“That’s great Leo – I didn’t think I had a chance of ever getting you to socialize,” Mike said.

“Well, I might as well give it a chance right?”

“Sounds good to me, just be ready to go by 6:30.”

Mike and Leo went to the party that and, sure enough, Amanda was there.

****
Attending the party completely altered Leo’s life. He actually spoke to Amanda. Amazingly enough they hit it off! Shortly after the party Leo and Amanda began dating. They dated throughout high school. Leo received a B+ on his research paper. He was denied entrance to the University and instead attended State College with Amanda.

Leo still became an accountant. Not at a company as prestigious as Edward Bronson’s, but a small and successful company. He discovered a lot more meaning in his work – especially because he discovered more meaning in his life. Having Amanda at home at the end of the day did wonders to Leo’s sense of confidence and self-worth. He wanted to be the best man possible for her. This helped him at work as well as socially.

One day when Leo finished up at work. He came home and was surprised by Amanda. She had decorated the house completely. Rose petals were scattered from the entryway through the hallway to the kitchen. On the table was Leo’s favorite meal of grilled peanut butter and jelly along with two candles providing the only light for the entire room.

“What’s the occasion?” Leo asked.

“I wanted to make your favorite tonight,” Amanda answered.

“Well I do have to say this is a pleasant surprise. I love you.”

“I know you do…almost as much as I love you,” said Amanda. “Why don’t you take your seat?”

“You’re making me feel like a king!” Leo said.

“Well you deserve it sometimes, emphasis on the sometimes. I appreciate everything you do for me.”

“It’s my pleasure…I never imagined life could be like this. You’ve made me incredibly happy.”

“Same here, oh!!! I almost forgot. We’re missing something.”
Amanda walked to the other room and retrieved a high chair.

“Why are you bringing that? I thought this meal was going to be just the two of us. Are the Johnsons joining us with their little one?”

“No,” said Amanda. “I just thought we should get used to eating with this here.”

“Why?” Leo asked completely bewildered.

“Leo. You’re going to be a father. I’m pregnant.”

Leo’s jelly dripped onto his favorite tie. “What?” He asked, as more jelly dripped onto his tie because his hands were shaking so much.

“It’s true Leo!” Amanda said with a huge grin.

“I can’t believe this!” Leo said, loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear him.

“I never thought this would happen to me…I can’t believe I get to be a dad!” Leo said with tears welling up in his eyes.

Leo got out of his chair and ran over to kiss her.

****
As Leo and Amanda celebrated their special night, by watching their favorite movie – Stranger than Fiction, the phone rang. “I better get that,” said Leo “it might be the office.”
As Leo tried to answer the phone nothing would work. He kept trying to pick it up, but the phone just kept ringing. This was the most confusing thing. Leo could not fathom why his phone continued to ring. The more Leo concentrated the more he realized his phone sounded different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what the sound was.

“Hey Leonard, did you doze off?”

Where was this voice coming from? Leo couldn’t see anybody.

“Leonaaaaaaaaard, Leonaaaaaaaard. Hey man I think you fell asleep.”

Leonard opened his eyes. His watch alarm was going off, signaling 5:15 the time he left the office everyday.

“Chesty?” Leonard said, the last person he ever wanted to think of was Chesty. He looked around the room.

“Hey you told me you were going to leave early and then you never left. You just stayed cooped up in your office.”

“There’s no way that was a dream!” Thought Leonard, the onset of dejection setting in.

“It sounds like you were havin a doozy of a dream, you were talking a lot. That’s the only reason I came in.”

“Thanks Chesty, I guess I was just tired today.”

“That’s alright Leonard; just don’t make a habit of it.”

“I won’t, don’t worry. This was a one time occurrence.”

“Alright well I’m gonna take off, can you lock up?” asked Chesty.

“Yes I can no problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Well I won’t be in for the next couple weeks, I’m headed to Cabo. But I’ll see you when I get back.” And with that Chesty left the office.

Leonard sat at his desk in despair. How is it that dreams can be so real? Leonard felt a little silly for feeling so depressed about losing something he didn’t have to begin with. After contemplating the dream for several minutes, Leonard made the first real spontaneous decision of his life. He wrote his letter of resignation, signed his name to the bottom (his first signature using the name Leo), then placed it on the desks of Chesty, Ed, and Long John.
Leo then looked up Amanda Egan on the whitepages.com. He was ecstatic to learn she still lived in the city and she still had the last name. The dream motivated Leonard to actually start living his life.

Leo left the office building, locking the door. He decided he would call Amanda once he got home. He followed the same path he walked every day. He waited for the crosswalk to give him the go ahead. Once the sign changed, Leo walked more quickly than usual across the street.
For an unknown reason, Leo heard several screams. Before he realized what was happening, Leo felt a severe pain in the middle of his legs, his head hitting the asphalt. A cabby jumped out of the taxi, his badge said “Dos.” Then nothing, no more memories, just blackness…

On his way to call Amanda Egan, Leonard Hamilton was struck dead by a cab on May 9, 2008.