Sometimes, You Gotta Just Trust The Owls... (700 hits)
Category: RomanceRating: 1.9 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by moneyshot (View user info) at 2005-11-04 04:36:01 EST
I was standing there nervously fidgiting with the zipper on my jacket trying to fight off the cold outside of my apartment when an old man in a brown coat walked by on the street. He gave me the oddest look as if to say "Who zips their jacket after they've come outside?" I'm not sure but I think lots of people do this. I mean, I knew it was cold outside so I remembered to wear a jacket. Maybe even a scarf. Just not to zip it. It was one of those days that was especially cold outside. The kind where you know it's going to be chilly but you're just not going to be prepared for how cold. After a little work I finally got zipped and walked down the steps. The man slowed down walking and then after another couple of steps he stopped and turned towards me as I grabbed my mail out of the mailbox.
"Excuse me. Do you know where the Greyhound station is?"
"Yeah, I think it's over on 8th and L I wanna say. Somewhere in that area I think. Going somewhere?"
"No." he replied.
I pointed off down the street to gesture that he was going away from it and he said nothing. After a few long seconds he thanked me and I smiled as I ripped open the first envelope in my hand. I was still making eye contact as he lingered there on the sidewalk for a bit and then finally continued off in the opposite direction of the station. Or at least where I remembered the station was and tried to point him in the direction of. I remember thinking "He's way off. All the way on the other side of town looking for the bus station." Do you think it's possible that he wasn't even looking for the station? Despite the fact that I pointed he continued in his path. Maybe he just wanted to talk. And the strange look he gave me. What do you make of that? Unfortunately, he left before I thought to ask him about it.
I must admit it's always my first impulse to jump into a random topic I may or may not have picked up the night before on Animal Planet when making small talk. Forget the weather. Forget the Kings. Let's talk about the Mexican spotted owl. Did you know that unlike most owls, Mexican spotted owls have dark eyes? They are an ashy-chestnut brown color with white and brown spots on their abdomen, back and head. Well, did you?
I'm often met with utter silence. That's okay though. It makes for an uncomfortably enjoyable elevator ride. Did you ever notice how quiet it is in elevators usually? Sometimes, when I don't have anything to do I like ride up and down them for a few talking to random people. It's funny how much you can learn about someone all in a few seconds. Enough about elevators though. Did you know in the U.S. alone there are an estimated 2,106 Mexican spotted owls? Fascinating stuff really.
You're probably wondering what brought me, a complete stranger, to write you this letter. What random chain of events inspired this already overly long missive? I started to tell you there in the beginning but I got sidetracked. I admit, I have trouble keeping focus. For instance, the other day I was standing in line at the grocery store when a nice looking young lady behind me asked me for the time. I explained to her that I didn't have the time because I had recently misplaced my wristwatch and despite several attmepts at backtracking and searching my apartment I wasn't able to find it. I also explained to her that I had purchased a replacement wristwatch so I would be prepared in the event that someone asked me the time but I didn't like the way it felt around my arm so I just left it at home. But then I remembered for some reason I had grabbed it off the dresser this morning and placed it in my pocket and it had been in there all day almost forgotten.
"7:36" I said to which she replied "Thanks... I think."
"Thank you. Err... for reminding me... about the watch."
Anyway, let me get back to the point. Did you know the Mexican spotted owl preys on a variety of species, including woodrats, mice, voles, rabbits, gophers, bats, birds, reptiles and arthropods? Just kidding. I know. I know. Alright, I'll wrap this up because I am running out of space to write this as sure as you're running out of patience to read this.
So let me take you back to the street in front of my apartment as I opened that first letter. I didn't notice the name it was addressed to. I just assumed it was mine being that it was in my mailbox. So right there I started reading about how you had to leave and that you had no other choice. How the relationship had reached the end and I knew it wasn't meant for me. For one, I didn't own a cat named "Mittens" that you had taken to your mother's house that I didn't have to worry about anymore. I'm sorry for continuing to read but I must admit I was intrigued. Maybe it had to do with the way you write your "s's" or how you made that little loop on the top of your "f's." Maybe it was the sincerity with which you wrote it or perhaps its the fact that somewhere, an ex-boyfriend is sitting in an empty apartment wondering where you and Mittens went off to and why.
Do you think it was fate? How I ended up with this letter and not him. The way the old man distracted me while I opened it so as not to notice the name on the envelope. It's hard to say why anything happens anywhere really but I say that this, this one thing should count. As fate, I mean. I did wrestle with the notion of writing you this letter at first but eventually I just gave in figuring I had nothing to lose. This is going to sound crazy but I think I love you. You can stop reading if you like or report this to the police. I want you to know I would never impose anything on anyone nor is this something that I normally do. It's just this last week I have spent studying every aspect of your letter falling in love with it over and over again. Feeling the emotion with which it was written. I know it's absurd. Falling in love with someone who I don't even know except for a few paragraphs. Believe me, I understand how strange this is. As a matter of fact I don't want you to reply to this at all. I think it would be better if you didn't. Besides, you're probably in no hurry to date someone again. Not to assume you would date me. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I'm getting off track again. In these situations, I often think how much easier it would be if I were animal. Maybe a Mexican spotted owl. Can't be too hard, right? But then I think "I'm pretty sure given the choice they would behave the same." So you see, sometimes, you gotta just trust the owls. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've been thinking about what I would say to you if I ever met you and I think I've figured it out.
"Excuse me. Did you know the Mexican spotted owl ranks among the largest owls in North America? It averages about 16 to 19 inches tall with a wing span of approximately 42 to 45 inches."
Yes, that's it. That's exactly what I would say.
Sincerely,
Mike
User Reviews
Submitted by Call911 (user info) at 2005-11-04 18:43:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
good read
Submitted by crownofsuns (user info) at 2005-11-04 18:16:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It is always nice to dream that you will find something special like this one day.
Submitted by moneyshot (user info) at 2005-11-04 17:42:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yeah, I never forwarded the letter to all who were wondering. I decided I had done enough. Thanks for reading everyone.
Submitted by yeahthatme (user info) at 2005-11-04 10:14:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Random, chance encounters make the best love stories.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-04 09:22:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
All the lonely people,
Where do they all belong?
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2005-11-04 09:08:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I like owls
Submitted by zoobie2000 (user info) at 2005-11-04 08:19:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
this is really good.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-11-04 06:16:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2005-11-04 05:17:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I really don't know what to make of this, but +2 somehow feels right.
Submitted by Shmee51 (user info) at 2005-11-04 04:52:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Very interesting, very hypnotic... just out of curiosity, did you ever forward the letter to its rightful recipient?
Submitted by Dreg (user info) at 2005-11-04 04:49:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2005-04-23 15:39:37 (#)
Ranking: 2
I can never give you less than a +2. Why?
Submitted by moneyshot (user info) at 2004-12-19 07:01:09 (#)
Ranking: -2
I had a friend who was training to be an OBGYN. One day a girl came in who hadn't had her period in 3 months. After alot of testing they examined her and found a tampon shoved so far deep into her during sex that it blocked the flow of all fluid. After the doctor removed it a vile 3 month old ooze of dead blood and raunchiness drained out from her. They then called the janitor in to dispose of the medical bucket they used to collect the dead blood and upon entering the room he quit on the spot.
The point? Your post stinks worst.
-the moneyshot