A pebble thrown at her window. A slight tap on glass from down below. A light shines through blinds. Another pebble thrown. This time harder. It bounces off and lands by the dumpsters, which smell of piss and vomit. Brown snow surrounds them.

Now, a snowball, handcrafted, and packed, crystallized. I toss it gently, and there is no response. It explodes into a million pieces. Every little bit of it mixing with the snow it came from; back to the mother’s womb. Perhaps I should go back to the womb as well. Leave this current life and start anew. What good is it to always be in want? I know the Lord is my Shepard. I shall not want. Right? If only that were true. But, the Lord is no longer my Shepard. I have abandoned him. Or, he has abandoned me. It’s hard to say. 

The good book says he will never leave us unless we rebuke him. Have I rebuked him? This sinful life of mine filled with lust and greed and cursing and worshipping false gods. What have I done? 

I used to envy no one. I was never greedy nor scornful towards my fellow man. In fact, I wished nothimg more than to help humanity. But then Cleo came along with her bag of goods, and I found myself wanting more. More money, more food, more sex, more warmth, more wine. I have thrown my soul away. I have rebuked God. And for that I will pay the rest of my days.

Finally, a light comes on. The window is opened. She looks down upon me like an angel smiling on a sinner. Hello, I say. She nods and smiles. My name is David. Would you like to get a cup of coffee?

Yes. She says. Yes.