Dream Garden

“Put the money in the bag,” the man yelled at the cashier. “And you,” the man spun around to look at Jack, “What’s in the bag!?”

The moment the man spoke Jack could feel his heart drop. He didn’t say anything in hopes that the man wasn’t talking to him. He didn’t dare to make a noise. “Hey you, you deaf?”

Jack felt a sharp kick pierce the left side of his stomach. The man grabbed the backpack and then continued to put it on his back. He took the bag full of money from the cash register and ran.

At first, Jack was just happy to be alive, but then soon after he realized that the package was in the bag. He thought it was weird the man had chosen to rob him and no one else. There were plenty of other people with bags in the store. Maybe he was the closest. Maybe he wasn’t even there to rob the store. He considered chasing after him but figured he had a gun and it would be pointless. He headed back to his car realizing that he didn’t have a job and never would know what was in the chest. Once he got to the car he plugged in his phone. When it was finally charged he called to inform his boss of the news.

“Great work,” his boss said in a surprisingly delighted manner. “My client says he received the item.” Jack was shocked and not wanting to question his luck, played along. “Yeah I arrived before expected,” he said.

His boss paused for a second. “That is weird how little time it took. Also, I looked at the cams and the man came on foot. You’re in a car right?” Jack didn’t want to lie. He wasn’t very good at it anyway.

“Look, I got robbed and someone took the package. I don’t know how it got delivered but it wasn’t me.” There was an awkward silence for a few seconds. Jack felt more scared than he had in his whole life.

“Well, as long as his phone got delivered,” said his boss. “Thanks for working at Amazon!” His boss hung up. This shocked Jack. He had been working at Amazon this whole time. He must have been fooled or something.

On his drive home, he contemplated what had happened. Was he really working for Amazon? Or was it just to cover up the identity of the package. Either way, Jack was still getting paid more than before, and this job was a lot less boring. Feeling a strange sense of contentment, Jack decided he was happy to have his job, no matter what it was.

Dream Garden

Hannah H, Class of 2027

Scattered thoughts like drops of dew On a leaf, a rich green tint Dreams, they stir, gold in the sunlight Ivy-colored gardens soaked in wishes Only then will it stay colorful

But the lifeless empty sky draws near Bottled-up evil sets wishes apart Dreams, they dry up, grey in the darkness Plants shrivel, wrinkle, crisp, and parch Only now has color left