Page 7 of Mine to Take

I considered his question. “He is not a good man, but it is not for me to determine his fate.”

“Is it not? Would you sleep better at night if he was no longer on this earth?”

“Yes,” I said it without hesitation.

He said nothing more.

“What is like to have that kind of power, to alter lives in an instant?”

“Lonely,” he said. I looked over at him, not expecting such raw honesty. Now it was his turn to seek solace in his empty glass.

“And it wasn’t enough to save your family,” I said softly.

He shook his head and clouds filled his eyes. He looked up at me. “You have that power too, you just don’t realize it.” He stood, and I knew the fun was over and there would be no continuation of the afternoon antics. Damn me and my big mouth.

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