Pulling his eyebrows down into a serious look
right at me, he stated, "I want you to take this money home
with you and count it. Bring the money back to me next spring,
if and when you decide to come to the festival. If you can't
come, or don't wish to, then you keep the money for yourself. I
know it isn't very much to a yuppie guy like you, but you might
have some fun with it, just the same. Maybe you’ll take a
good-looking girl out for dinner."
Why would he give me the money and ask me to
return it the next year? What did he mean by the qualities that
I had? I was curious to say the least.
"I've got everything put away. Should we
disappear?" Kristin asked.
"Wait a minute," I said. "What
do you mean? What do you want with me?"
"One second, sweetheart … I think
that James is truly the one," Max said, pushing both the
money and hat back into my hand. "James, if you want to
learn the true secrets of life’s magic, then you must first
accomplish a great feat."
"What feat? What do you mean?" I
asked.
"James, you must be patient and
observant. If you are patient, in time, life will reveal its
greatest secrets. If you are observant, you will learn to
recognize them. James, always be on the lookout for the magical
opportunities in your life. The magic life will be yours only if
you explore them. This could be one of those magical
opportunities. Every second conceals within it, a lifetime –
every minute, an eternity."
"Great for you," Kristin called to
me, "I look forward to seeing you next year." She then
walked over to me, reached out and took my hand in hers.
Standing directly in front of me, smiling her nearly angelic
smile, she gazed up at me and said, "Thank you, Jim, for
participating in my life."
