Joe stood there a few more moments trying to take in the vision before him. He’d never seen death before but he always a preconceived vision of death in his mind: a tall skeletal figure in a black robe carrying a sickle. The creature or person in front of him was dressed like Michael Jackson and had a normal looking face topped by blond hair. He also was sans sickle.
“You’re Death?”
“The one and only. But I’m not expecting you for another…almost gave away your deathday.”
The lonely cane leans against the wall. Waiting, waiting, for the owner to return. The cane misses its daily walk, sometimes to the park, others time to the falls. The owner has been gone so long . The cane wonders of his return. So it just sits and waits patiently.
“Dad, what do I do with the cane?”
“Bring it along son, maybe I’ll keep it to remember him by…maybe not.”
“Love what?” Gilliam thought to himself. He looked around the literature classroom. Not one of his so- called classmates in the room cared for him. They all said he was different. His true friends were the geeks and freaks. He let out a sigh…”How was he to become their protector. How was he going to learn to love them unconditionally?
Gilliam looked up at the clock. The bell should be ringing any second now. He shoved his notebook in his backpack and threw it over his shoulder.
The bell rang. “Finally,” Gilliam muttered to himself.
“Hey, Gilliam still writing that crap poetry?” Shouted Josh as he walked out the door.
“Yeah, man, find something more manly.” Chimed in Keith.
A few more chuckles and the classroom was empty. He stood up to go to his next class.
“Better hurry or you’re going to be late for class.” Said Mr. Lewis the Literature teacher.
Gilliam looked at him. “Yeah I know…I’ll make it.
“Oh, and Gilliam don’t let those guys get to you. Keep writing your poetry.”
“Where I come from it’s almost a requirement.” Gilliam smiled and left the room.
Gilliam left the literature classroom and turned left in the crowded hallway. A school with over 4,000 students was a perfect place for a guardian angel to reside in order to bring protection
“Years ago your grandfather brought me here. He notched an arrow in his bow, like this. He aimed his bow high in the air and shot the arrow. Then you know what he did next?” He looked over. His son was on his cell phone,again.”Son did you hear me?”
He son looked up at him, Yeah, yeah grandpa shot an arrow.”
“Yes, but did you know what he did next son?”
“No because you haven’t tiold me.”
“Well he told me, “That’s your arrow now go get it.”
“Be right there,” He yelled as he pulled up his jeans. The clockmaker headed from the back room to his workshop. There stood a man holding a pocket watch.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes, I heard you are the best clockmaker in the city.”
“I wouldn’t call myself the best, but I’m good.”
The customer laid the pocket watch on the counter.
The old clockmaker looked at it. “Ive never seen anything like it before.”
“Nor do I think you ever will. At least in your lifetime.”
The Ugly Artist 