Waterman's Wait - A Short Story by Moe

Waterman...you'd think him just a guy from Brooklyn.  His tastes, eclectic and rare.  His home, wherever he laid his soul.  Motivated by life and passion itself, he sought out every plain he could find where his thirst would be satiated and for a time at least...he thought he was nearing an end to discovery...

Walking up a New York street just perusing his surroundings, he came across a bookstore that drew his gaze.  Not for any other reason but what was on display in the window.  A book that was recently published but beautifully weathered and worn.  Walking inside, he noticed that most looked at the cover as it was in fact stunning but picking it up, he noticed something else altogether.  The edges on every page were painted gold.  The scent that emanated from it's coating was that of orchids and a surprising inscription inside written in purple ink that simply read "this is me".

So he apprehensively took the book and sat in the bookstore reading area.  While a few bought the book, this was never his way.  Waterman knew that in every page he could find levels of depth that would always require a lifetime of consecutive reads.  With such rarities, he would take his time at every page.  While most waited for conclusions, he waited on every page considering it to be the next level of discovery.  The next level of reveal.  As though the book itself were allowing him access one beautiful step at a time.  Tentatively acknowledging his worth as the reader.  If he found something on a page that would cause his eyes to turn away, he would have no problem putting it down as he had done many times before but in this case...he found no such cause.  He came to love every level of reveal.

Needless to say, Waterman ventured to that store daily.  He would even come early at times.  Waiting outside for the bookstore to open so he could sit and relish in its' simplistic depth.  Smiling at every turn of page, ever wondering what was next.  Frustrated when he had to put it down.  Yet such frustration had become tempered by a truth he came to understand years ago.  That such priceless works should never be bought or sold as they then become possessions.  Possessions that are then kept under lock and key making sure that none else would see their greatness lest they be stolen.  The book may have been recently published but in it he found a value surpassing it's gracelessly discounted price tag.  He truly believed such things had to be gifted...just as every page had been freely gifted ever since he picked it up.

After his initial reading, he knew that the next level of discovery would be bold but absolutely required.  He came to meet the author at a book signing and since then, just as he waited on every page to allow him access for greater discovery...he gladly waits to see what's next as he turns the page with every text message, with every chance they get to meet and with every smile.

A good and stable read is fine for those that have never had it but Waterman found that even in his time of stability, the only thing that lives and breathes daily...is discovery.  Something profound that can take minutes...or even a lifetime...

~Moses Apollo