This choice: Sandy Dalls, a 18 year old high school senior. • Go Back... Sandy was eighteen this year, and a veritable woman. It didn't matter if she never knew her mother. She practically raised her brothers for the absentee mom. She was used to her position as the only girl in the household, but knew it came with plenty of hardships. Life at school was better for Cassandra Dall. She had decent friends in Lila Torres and Holly Farrell, though both of them were more popular than the obstinate Sandy. She even had a nice boyfriend, Kevin Sharpe: a perfect stooge she could turn loose the minute she desired. He was the only thing in her life she had any control over.
Sandy eagerly waited as her father got home, expecting some sort of attention. It took a good thirty minutes for dad to even notice she was there. He gave a nod in her direction, but no further recognition. It dawned on Sandy very slowly that she wouldn't be celebrating tonight. At least, not at home.
It would be the tenth year in a row now. Ever since the day her mother left them all behind, her father couldn't be expected to remember his shoes in the morning, let alone a birthday cake. It only made things worse when Mitch left for college. And though she knew it would kill him, Sandy couldn't wait to escape this old town, too.
Without notice, Sandy slipped out into the night in the mind to find herself a birthday present. She might as well treat herself if no one else would. After several blocks, she stopped into the local corner shop for her quick fix.
"Hi. How may I help you?"
The cashier spotted her right away. Sandy was surprised by the sudden attention. She approached the counter hesitantly.
"I'm looking for a present."
"Oh? How wonderful! For whom?"
"...Myself. It's my birthday today."
"Well, happy birthday! Isn't it a bit strange to buy yourself a present, however?"
"Yeah, but it's just something I do. So what can you get me for--"
She reached into her pockets, fishing for change. Sandy threw down a few coins.
"All this?"
"You poor girl. You couldn't even get a gumball with what's here. But you know what? Since it's your birthday--"
The man ducked behind the counter, and came up with a strange velvet box. He opened it to an engraved silver coin. A little pregnant woman peeked out at Sandy, smiling on the shiny surface of the coin.
"How about this little beauty?"
Sandy pushed the box away and stepped back.
"I'm sorry, I don't collect coins."
"It's not just any coin, you see. It's special. It can really turn your life around, or so I've heard."
Sandy laughed to herself. What could a coin possibly do to change someone's life? Especially one as dysfunctional as hers?
"I can't possibly afford it."
"It's my gift to you, for your birthday. Didn't I say that?"
"But why would I want--"
"Please, take it. It'll bring you such joy, I'm sure of it."
"It's worthless, isn't it? Are you just trying to get it off your hands?"
"That might be the most valuable object in existence, if what they say about it is true."
"Hmph. And what do they say?"
"I can't remember. All I know is that it's supposed to give you the life you deserve."
"The life I deserve, huh?"
Sandy looked long and hard at the box before making her decision. In a split second, she snatched the silver piece out of the storekeep's hand and held it in her palm. It was a lot heavier than she thought it would be. She turned it over in her hands again and again. The engraving changed expressions from happy to shocked, much to Sandy's amusement. The storekeep's eyes lit up to see Sandy holding his present. She pondered for a few more moments, then decided to keep it.
"I'll take it. Better than nothing."
"Thank you. You won't regret it. And happy birthday!"
"Yeah, thanks."
Sandy walked out of the store and immediately regret filled her. Why in the world did she pick up this strange coin? It's almost as if it enchanted her. But out of the glare of the store lights, it looked entirely worthless. Was it even silver? She stuffed it in her pocket, too proud to return it now. Just then, her phone buzzed. Sandy swiftly opened her phone to find Kevin texting her.
[Hello?]
[Happy birthday, sweets.]
[Thanks, Kev.]
[Hey, whatcha up to?]
[Nothing really. Dad forgot my cake again. Whole b-day thing is kinda lame.]
[Sucks... Wanna come over?]
Normally Sandy didn't seek out Kevin's company, especially at this hour. But she felt compelled to see him tonight. Perhaps he'd make up for the crummy evening she'd been having as of yet. Maybe he'd even gotten her a present.
[Sure. Can you pick me up?]
[Where?]
[Out front of Griger's.]
[You're out there?]
[...]
[I'll be there in 5.]
[K. See you soon  ]
She waited maybe two minutes before Kevin pulled up beside her. She got in the rickety old car, and they drove off into the night. Sandy watched out the window for a good long while. Kevin wanted to break the silence, but couldn't find a good reason to. Finally, they were stuck at a stoplight, and Kevin spoke up.
"So, my parents aren't home tonight."
"Yeah?"
Sandy turned with the vaguest interest. Under the orange floodlights of the street, his blonde hair positively shined.
"You wanna hang out there for a while?"
Sandy nodded to avoid catching his eye. She couldn't keep her eyes off his halo of golden hair, however. The longer she stared at him, the brighter the glow. The streetlights danced across his face, played upon his thin white shirt, coursed through the car at blinding speed. He was hurtling towards the suburbs, anticipating something big.
"You wanna slow down there?"
"Oh, sorry. Just thinking about stuff. Y'know."
"Kev..."
They finally stopped in front of the Sharpe residence, and Kevin opened the door for Sandy like a true gentleman. By that time, the orange lights encircling him had driven Sandy crazy. So the moment that door swung wide, she leapt out at her waiting boyfriend and planted a kiss on his lips. He struggled to shut the door while holding her, and she just giggled with delight. At least she'd get something wonderful out of her birthday, now. Maybe that coin was magic, for bringing this spark to her life.
Kevin and Sandy hustled inside. They whooped and hollered as they raced into Kevin's room, excited and playful. She tossed him onto the bed first, then he turned the tables on her and pressed her into his pillows. She laughed at his "suave" attempts.
"You want to keep this going?"
"C'mon, Kev. It's my birthday."
"Well, happy birthday to you, baby."
He kissed her lips hard, then trailed down her neck. Sandy clutched at his back, and closed her eyes with sheer joy. The night lasted practically forever, with both of them hoping it never ended. After a long passionate affair, they both fell asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
In the middle of the night, Sandy woke up. Though she was more than comfortable in Kevin's arms, she wasn't too happy in her rough jeans. She slipped out of the bed and stood up in front of the closet doors. They were mirrored, so Sandy took the chance to straighten herself up. As Sandy removed her pants, she found the coin as it slipped out of her pocket. She remembered the cashier's words, then jokingly flipped the coin.
It came up--  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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