I wasn’t supposed to read that note left on my doorstep.
Now, this isn’t your typical “movie” moment that dramatically leads the main character on a life-changing, unexpected adventure. I, my friend, am just your typical stressed out, sleep-deprived high school student who should probably be doing homework right now. Let me ask you something. Why did you choose this story? Out of all the varying topics to read in this magazine, the brain puzzles to fill in, or the pictures to gaze at, you’ve somehow stumbled across this story. Maybe you thought it’d be interesting, or you’re just trying to pass time. But I bet I can guess what you want out of it. You want to know about the note that I was not supposed to read, and what it said.
If I tell you that now, that would be easier on both of us. I could tell you, and we’d go on with our days. I would tell you now, but that would make this story pretty bland. My job is to write this to keep you entertained, and you’re supposed to read this whole thing, which indirectly makes us a team. And in my share of it all, I need to lead you on so this fits the criteria for a piece of writing these days. Of course, either of us could stop with our jobs at any time, but let’s make a deal: from here to the rest of this story, I’m going to keep doing my job, and you’re going to keep doing yours, and you might just enjoy where this short, paper journey takes you.
Why should you listen to me, you ask? That’s a good question. You just want to know what this random note on my doorstep said, and here I am leading you on a completely different path. But like I said, this is a piece of writing, so this is all just part of my plan.
But in all honesty, I don’t really have a plan. I am as clueless as you are right now. There was no note left on my doorstep for me to read. That first sentence was supposed to be a decoy, to get you pulled into this story. And if you’re reading to this point, then I guess it worked.
So reader, sorry if you didn’t get the result you expected. I know you might’ve found reading this a waste of your time and you’re going to walk away not getting the answer you may have expected. But if there’s anything I could add, I thank you for keeping that deal we made earlier. Because of a deal you made with a random person, you let me complete my job, even if it burdened yours.
Maybe it’s not always about the desired destination, but the journey you take to get there. There might not always be a real answer to a question, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth fretting over. Neither of us know what that note said, but we both got to finish our “jobs” and complete that deal in the end. Now, while my job is about to end here, continue to do your part in this huge array of stories. Enjoy the adventure of each, and don’t judge any by the start or the ending of it. Go on the journeys with content, and an open mind, no matter the destination it leads you to.