Flash Fiction

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Eye of the Storm

The bar was a smoky den of dimly lit secrets, where the patrons nursed their drinks and their sorrows in equal measure. Arthur sat at the far end of the bar, nursing his own glass of bourbon, the amber liquid a reflection of his own turbulent thoughts. He had come here to escape the chaos of his life, to find answers to questions he couldn't even articulate.

The bartender, a grizzled man with a face etched by time and experience, placed another glass in front of him, its contents sloshing gently. "On the house," he said, his eyes holding a hint of sympathy.

Arthur nodded his thanks and took a sip, the warmth of the alcohol coursing through him. He watched the liquid swirl in the glass, an ever-shifting dance of chaos and order, much like his own life. He swirled it around a bit more and then took another sip, savoring the bitterness on his tongue.

A voice, as gravelly as the road less traveled, broke through his reverie. "You seem like a man who's lost his way," it said, coming from the stool next to him.

Arthur turned to see a stranger, a man in his fifties with piercing, thoughtful eyes. His face was etched with the wrinkles of experience, and his salt-and-pepper beard framed a knowing smile. He extended a hand, "Name's Robert."

Arthur shook his hand, curiosity mingling with the alcohol in his veins. "Arthur."

Robert's eyes seemed to penetrate Arthur's very soul. "Arthur, life's a bit like a river, isn't it? It twists and turns, sometimes flowing gently, other times raging. We all have to navigate its currents."

The metaphor struck a chord with Arthur, and he leaned in, eager to hear more. "Go on."

Robert swirled the amber liquid in his glass, mirroring Arthur's earlier motion. "Life can be like a turbulent river, and we, my friend, are the boats. Some people are content to float along, wherever the current takes them. But the wise ones, they steer their boats. They chart their own course, and they do their best to avoid the rocks and the rough waters."

Arthur stared into his glass, lost in the metaphor. He'd been floating along for far too long, allowing life's currents to carry him wherever they pleased. He had let himself become a passenger in his own life, instead of the captain of his destiny.

"But what if I've hit a point where the currents are too strong, and I can't steer anymore?" Arthur asked, his voice heavy with doubt.

Robert's eyes sparkled with empathy. "Ah, that's where the real test of character begins. See, even when the river rages, a good captain doesn't give up. You may not be able to change the flow of the river, but you can always change how you navigate it. You can adapt, adjust your sails, and keep moving forward."

Arthur pondered Robert's words, seeing the wisdom in them. He had been defeated by his circumstances, allowing himself to wallow in self-pity, instead of taking control of his life. The stranger's words were like a beacon in the darkness, showing him a path he had long neglected.

Robert continued, his voice taking on a softer tone, "And remember, Arthur, being a good man isn't about avoiding all the rocks in the river. It's about how you treat others as you navigate your own course. Help those who are struggling, be kind to your fellow travelers, and leave the river a little cleaner than you found it."

Arthur's thoughts turned inward as he reflected on his recent actions. He had neglected the people he cared about, hurting them with his recklessness. He had been so focused on his own misery that he hadn't realized the collateral damage he was causing.

Robert's words had hit him hard, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would steer his own boat, navigate the turbulent river of life with determination and compassion. He would be the captain of his destiny, not a passenger in his own life.

As the night wore on, Arthur and Robert shared stories, not just of their past, but of their dreams and hopes for the future. They laughed, they drank, and they connected in a way that transcended the confines of the bar. Arthur realized that sometimes, in the unlikeliest of places, you could find the advice and guidance you needed to find your way back.

When the night was finally drawing to a close, Arthur felt a sense of gratitude for the stranger who had entered his life. Robert had been like a lighthouse in the storm, guiding him away from treacherous waters and toward the path of being a good man. Their paths might never cross again, but the lessons Arthur had learned from this chance encounter would stay with him, like a beacon of hope in the darkest of nights.

©2023 Clarence Barbee

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