When I was eight I was
the princess and sole ruler of some far away kingdom in the clouds. There were occasions when some enemy would
track me down while I was in class and I’d have to fight my way out. I’d obliterate the threat and then jump like
some ninja to escape through the vents in the ceiling or through a third story
window. Sometimes my subjects would be
in trouble from the darkness that was always trying to creep over the borders and
my General would have to come fetch me from school. I remember everyone was shocked when a bunch
of winged horses suddenly landed in the middle of the asphalt, calling me away
with them. Away to my kingdom in the
sky…surrounded by clouds and dreams…
When I was eleven I had
my own secret hideaway. There was a
secret passage hidden in my bedroom wall, only accessible through an opening by
the top bunk of my bed. Only I could
enter. I would escape for hours at a
time. To my own sanctuary where I could
read and play and be content. Any disturbance
from the outside world could not penetrate that wall. A war could have broken out; atomic bombs
could have dropped. But in my chamber of
dreams there would be only peace.
When I was fourteen I
was a master of spells. A sorceress to
match any in the fairytales you’ve read.
I could bewitch. I could
manipulate. I could control. The world was at my beck and call.
When I was eighteen I
was an overnight household name. An
actress/singer/model. The best of talent
and desire wrapped into one. I could
bend the emotion of the world with one glance.
I was invited to talk shows.
Casting directors never stopped calling.
I was on the cover of every magazine.
And every boy who ever knew me was pained by the idea that they didn’t
hold onto me up while I was there.
Yesterday I was a
world-renowned author. I was on a book
tour for my latest installment. They
were already trying to make movies out of my works, but I was being a snob. I refused to let my life’s work be tainted by
screenwriters. Not even remembering what
city I was currently in (it’s always hard to keep track when on tour), I was
taking a walk in the park to get away from the chaos of it all when suddenly I
was face-to-face with an ex-boyfriend.
Of course he regretted breaking my heart and for one second I considered
forgiving him. But then I realized I was
far beyond him and went back to my books and my better life.
Today, however, I am
just a working girl. No romance, no
special powers. Just me, my job, and my
cat. I had to remind myself of this as I
was racing out of my door this morning, ten minutes late. I slammed the door behind me and suddenly was
falling. The landing had disappeared! I was plummeting into darkness with no idea
how I would ever survive such a fall.
And then smack! I was inside my
car shaking my head. “No, I’m late,” I
muttered to myself, turning the radio even louder. I got to work just in time.
The day flew by quickly
enough. I tend to enjoy my work on most
days. I even read through a whole three
chapters during my lunch. After work I
struggled through rush hour, crashed in through the door, and collapsed on the
couch.
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