You are chosen so you'd better behave ...

The clerk looked tired. Worn out. Contemplating her soon to come retirement ?

"How can I help you ?"

"I would like to extend the concessions please." Handing a clumsily written piece of paper.

Slowly her eyes slid over to me. "Just a moment."

Frantic keyboard ticks.

"Both concessions have been renewed in June for the next thirty years. Would you like to deposit cumulative funds for the following period ?"

Was that compassion in her voice? Or just the etiquette of tomb concession renewal ?

White noise in my ears... Renewed..

"Could you please be kind and inform me on who performed the renewal ?"



In a fraction of a second my interlocutor regained her unconcerned interaction.

"I can not disclose this information, we don't keep track of it. Would you like to deposit cumulative funds?"

"Yes please. Both concessions."

Back in the cold by now car. A tomb concession extension receipt for two sisters I had never heard from anyone save my inner voice.

Unreal. Nothing made sense. Nightmare, definitely a nightmare, soon the alarm clock will ring and I'll rush to work...

Minutes passed, nothing. Cold raindrops smashing on the windshield. A cops cruiser slowly drifting in the mist.

Better move. Not in the mood to deal with cops. Or with anyone. Cranking-up.

Jacket tossed on the floor. Shoes here and there. Drink it over ? Send a sick call mail and empty that Chivas ? Force myself to drink or keep staring at the window, which one is lesser evil ? Ok. Where's the whiskey ? Kitchen? Somewhere on the bookshelves ?

"Tssss... Pull some style !"

Frozen. Motionless. Idea. Maybe... If I ask politely she'll let me wake-up and it'll be all clear again ?

"Sorry to disappoint you Fairy dear, it's a nogo, happens I'm in a nightmare, please be patient or wake me up, would you ?"

"Sweetheart forget the whisky it's champagne time. Of which you have none at hand. Your knowledge is very partial. For now just consider that your sisters are grown up and fine."

"Dead and buried, yes I know. Anything else to complement my misery ?"

 "Their bodies are lifeless and buried. Their souls are fine and that's what really matters..."

Trembling hand clutched on my car keys. Time to run, drive away, far away ?

"Girl, you'd better sit down and listen. Babes in toyland is over. Things are to get serious so put your tushy on something comfy, shut up and listen !"

Dropping on the sofa. "Yes m'aam. "

"They took the girls out of the equation. Your mom was crushed and deep in sorrows after loosing her children. Then you came to this world."

"Dear fairy or whatever you are, please, I mean, please this far I can go !"

Her voice turned painfully loud. "Don't you interrupt me young lady ! You are not to choose. You are chosen so you'd better behave for crying out loud !"

"Sorry for that, my bad... M'aam ?"

"Be good now. After your birth your mom pulled herself up, regained joy and spread it around. Meanwhile you had to be prepared."

Silence. Sure felt good. She resumed.

"That's when your part begins. Men can not be empowered but they can safely host powers for new receptors. Stealth containers. "

"Dear Fairy, can we perform a reality check of sorts ? What are those 'they', how's that related to powers or ?"

"Your wish is a command sweetie." Was she being sarcastic ?

Rain hammering against the windows.

A swishing sound. Pink flash. Echo of my car keys falling on the hardwood floor.