Fate’s a fickle thing; sometimes you're up… other times, you're down. You learn to be realistic about luck. That said, when a brief glimpse of joy appears, you can’t help but be happy. “Talk about a lucky break; it's payday, and I have the week off,” I said, my check for the last few weeks of work in hand. “Doing a few all-nighters seemed to pay off.” They were rare amid my ongoing struggles; the few sparks of hope that gave it meaning.
On my way to the comic shop that day, the graphic novel I’d been saving up for was only a few blocks away. With the rising sun and soft morning light filtering through the shop's shuttered windows, I couldn’t help but burst through the door with vigor. “Hokage, my man, I'm here for my pre-order,” I shouted as the owner, Danny, stood tall at the counter.
He had a lean, muscular build. His vertical afro—a distinctive feature—stood out against his dark skin, set off by the bright orange of his Shippuden T-shirt. “You want to try that again?” His arms were crossed, a grizzled expression on his face as I paused, bowing. In the silence, I lifted my head, and our eyes met; a sly grin spread across his face. In an instant, laughter erupted from both of us. “So, how have you been, man? Still working at the Heart Attack Hut?” Danny said as I gave a cheeky response.
“Afraid so, but it's not all bad; I mean, I got the week off,” I told him as our conversation continued into my purchase, as Danny smiled with a knowing look, his new trainee holding the list. He called out to them when the sound of falling boxes came, followed by a shriek. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Danny shook his head. Excusing himself, he walked back to help as the flustered employee continued to apologize.
From the counter, I could hear the two talking. I stood wondering what kind of person my friend had hired to help him; Huh, it must be some dizzy girl, I thought. My eyes dazed as I looked around Danny’s comic shop. Photos of us growing up; some I smile at fawningly, while others I give somber smirks. At the row's end, Danny, dressed in white, with his long-time girlfriend in his arms; I still regret it… not going.