The Edge of Town

Wade concentrated on sticking the needle in his arm as best as he could. He had been waiting all day to get high. He barely made it to the ally at the edge of town. As his trembling hand forced the needle in, Wade could start to feel euphoria coursing through his veins. Every ounce of ache inside him shriveled up and evaporated. After a couple of minutes his heartbeat was racing out of control and he could tell something was wrong. He clenched his chest as a shot of pain struck it like a lightening bolt. Everything in his sight went black even though his eyes were open. Wade’s life was teetering on a fence between good and evil. Fortunately, he landed on the good side.

Wade was almost gone when he heard a peaceful voice calling his name. He was too numb to move, so he just listened to the unknown voice.

“You have so much pain to turn into something good. You are the truly blessed one. Your purpose in life now is to heal yourself and to teach others around you.”

A year has gone by since that unforgettable night. Wade walks up to the front desk to check himself out of rehab. He catches a glimpse of his sister’s car waiting outside as he says his goodbyes. Talking to his sister in the car makes him realize how beautiful she is, something he had forgotten. She smiles and says “So big brother, you ready to go home?”

“Yes, but I need to make a trip to the edge of town first.”

The whole way there he wondered how he would react. But when the moment arrived he simply got out of the car, turned hid head up towards the sky, and said “Thank you for my second chance.”