To Leave Or Not To Leave

Enough to go anywhere

I stare at the wads of cash in my fists. Today, on a whim, I withdrew my whole bank account, got it all in ten-dollar bills. Alexander Hamilton stares at me, daring me. Here I stand, on a street in New York. The people move like water around me, but I am motionless, letting them part and pass.

This is enough money to go anywhere. I could go wherever I wanted, get a job, and be someone else. That's what I realized as I left the bank. I could fly to Europe, to Asia, to Mexico, or even just California. I could start a new life, where nobody knew my name. Is that what I really want? When I walked into the bank, had I just wanted to start over?

Life's been rough lately. Everything is slipping. My friends are fading into the background, now that I can't help them any more. I've been dreaming about leaving this crowded city, going somewhere new and trying again. Literally dreaming, every night. I see foreign countries, new cities and people. Old buildings and new opportunities. Jobs and happiness. I see second chances.

But how can I leave? I have a job now. I have commitments to keep, people to help. An appointment next Tuesday with a psychologist. And what if it's not my friends that have been leaving- what if it's me? Maybe the reason I don't see my friends is because I've been having a bit of a pity party. Maybe I pushed them out. Maybe it's my fault. But...maybe not.

Enough money to go anywhere.

I look again at the cash in my hands.

My resolve hardens. I know what I will-

Thud.

Suddenly I'm on the ground, and my hands are empty. My bag is gone.

Didn't even see the pickpocket coming.