*National Finalist: Short Story Contest sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Global Sales, Inc.

 I remember being in the kitchen with my mother and three siblings and anxiously awaiting the chocolate peanut butter brownies to make their trek from the oven. This was such an event for me as I love chocolate and of course the cold dollop of vanilla bean ice-cream that slivered its way down the steaming dessert. We all devoured the brownies smiling and laughing as chocolate kissed our lips. But, my mother would just sit back and watch us with a grin on her face that will forever run in the filmstrip of my mind.
 
I remember her always saying “save the last brownie.” I naturally figured that it was for my father when he got home from work at night. Now as an adult, I truly understand what that phrase meant; she was teaching us to truly enjoy the taste of life. To not take the simple pleasures for granted by rushing through every event but, instead making memories that last. It really put into perspective the value of appreciating life’s precious gifts and all the unexpected “brownies” that come along the way.
 
I have taken this wisdom with me throughout my life. I cherish the time spent with loved ones, the walks with special someones that make me smile, and the chocolate soul-mates I have met along the way. I still to this day leave one square in the corner of the brownie pan knowing my mom would be proud.

SAVE THE LAST BROWNIE

There is an undeniable awe that surges through your body the moment that you step onto the Vegas strip. A mix between walking into your favorite carnival from childhood, a Disneyland trip with the cartoon characters replaced by every walk of like, and a desert sanctuary. A land that is so far removed from regular life that even without windows, clocks, and agendas one immediately breathes a sigh of relief knowing that this adult fantasy land is just the therapy from the mundane rituals of day to day life.

The dry, oven-like heat blankets your skin. Any sign of perspiration evaporates before you realize that the sun is attracting your body’s water supply. And then it hits you. The monstrosity of these buildings really put into the perspective the vastness and surreal nature of this place. The architectural beauties perfectly constructed and meticulously construed line the strip each with imaginary that overloads the senses just enough to entice you to crave more. Scaled down to figurines in the monopoly board game one exchanges the play money and game pieces with slot machines and poker tables.

VEGAS: LIFE ON A MONOPOLY BOARD

   (excerpt)

Sara couldn’t stomach the noise that kept circling in her mind. It was a never-ending filmstrip that ended with the screeching halt of brakes and shattering of glass. Opening her eyes to see a cloudy sky and naked tree tops, she realized that she was lying down and unable to move her right leg. The sound of her heart racing matched the sound of police sirens and ambulance that were in the far distance. Her mind was flashing back and forth with images of the clouds and of her beloved husband, Jeff. All she could envision was to make her way back to the car and to get home. Just get home. All of this had to stop. This weird reality that she wasn’t supposed to be in. The sirens, the crackling of the thunderstorm waiting to explode all became too much.

TIMEPIECE

Copyright © 2012. Write the First Time is registered to Lisa Cafiero. All Rights Reserved.