Chapter 17

Michael’s tall figure was slumped forward. He walked slowly, dejected and angry. He almost believed if he stopped to listen, he would hear the ants protesting each drag of his feet. He didn’t care about the ants, or anything right now. The interview had been a disaster. The stupid rain! He looked down at his clothes, still drying from their meeting with rain earlier and sighed in despair. Just then his phone rang and he checked the caller ID. Oh mom, your boy isn’t doing exactly well right now, he murmured under his breath. The phone stopped ringing, then almost immediately started again. This time he answered.

Ten minutes later, Michael was smiling as he ended the call with his mum. She had given him the reassurance he needed. He raised himself higher with renewed enthusiasm, his newfound spirit overflowing like a tap left unchecked through the night, slowly drowning the rising doubts in him, leaving a pool of hope instead.

Life 1, Mike 0. The comeback is on after the break ladies and gentlemen, he spoke softly to himself. Bring it on.

A taxi whizzed past him, horns blaring. Christ! Mike jumped aside, watching in bewilderment as the taxi shot ahead, the driver in a desperate race to beat an invisible opponent. Mike shook his head and continued his walk. That idiot better not kill someone.