The Weekend Shift

The day had begun fairly, it looked a bit darker than how bright it was supposed to look at 6:00 am. Jeff had started his day with some already made plans. He is an accountant of The Jordans, a publishing company, and had just wedded a few months ago. Beside him on his king-sized bed was his wife, Alex who had herself wrapped up in the duvet in a way that gave her a baby-like innocent look.

It was 8:00 AM when he had finished getting ready to leave. There's no food in the house, the water bill needs to be paid and we'd be cut off the internet by tomorrow if we don't pay. Alex said blatantly. she had chosen not to work nor do anything resourceful to yield finance that could help run the monthly expenses of the house. Undoubtedly, this spoilt Jeff's entire mood for the day, he dropped a $100 bill on the bed and left nonchalantly. Alex became grumpy and complacent over what she could do with a mere $100 bill.

Hey man, how're you doing? You don't look bright today.

That was Livingston, Jeff's colleague at work, a trusted confidant and an all-time Jeff's right-hand man.

Yes, I'm ok, Jeff replied putting on a pinch of a smile, unfortunately, not substantial to cover the moodiness on his face.

What's the time on your wristwatch?

It is 2:30, Livingston replied.

No way! I think you need to get a new wristwatch, this should be about 4:00 pm because it's been long since the dawn of the day.

You can check on your computer.

This is unbelievable, it's time for my lunch break anyway, you have an idea of any comfortable place to just go and relax?

Do you mean a restaurant or something?

No, a secluded place, I need some quietness.

Okay! I have an idea, we can drive down to Brazos river and we should be back on or before 3:30 pm.

I hear you. Jeff replied in a very weak tone like he wasn't certain about returning to the office.

They left the office and set off, Livingston turned on the engine and led the way with Jeff driving behind him.

It wasn't more than 15 minutes drive from Waco where the office is located to Brazos River where Livingston had taken Jeff to.

Jeff, what's the problem man? You've been this way since this week but today seems worse.

He was quiet for a while, maybe thinking of the nearest most appropriate way to lay his words out.

It's Alex and some bills that keep piling up, this wedding is barely a few months old and I already feel overwhelmed…

Hold on I have to take this call it's my wife. Livingston interrupted abruptly.

Umm…Jeff I'm sorry we have to leave, my wife just dropped by at the office and for some reasons, she has demanded to see me. Livingston said after speaking with his wife on the phone.

Alright, you can go ahead and see her, I just got here so I still need more of this peace and sanity.

They had a handshake with quite a flimsy hug, Livingston got into his car, turned on the engine, and zoomed off like he was being chased by flash, everyone knows that's the way he drives.

Jeff is left alone at Brazos River, a priceless moment he had so much wanted to be far from all sorts of noise, but the ravaging one in his head.

He moved some steps forward for convenience, his left leg felt unequally placed on the ground with his right leg as he had stepped on something slightly bulky, he took a step backward and looked down, it was a book, half of the length about an inch buried into the ground, the surface was made of black hardcover, the engraved title made of gold color, it was already crusted by dust. He picked it up, hit the specks of dust off and applied some pressure with his mouth, and blew some of the dust off. The first page quoted, " you have picked up this black book today because you've got something great coming, turn to the next page, say the bank you want to find yourself in it, place your left hand on the second page and close your eyes to experience the extraordinary".

He did so and found himself in the bank vault of Wells Fargo, the 3rd page quoted, "gently drop this mysterious black book on the amount you want, place your hand on it to start the first day of your best days". Each separation of the Dollar bills had $20,000 in it, he gently placed the book crossed on two separations, touching both sides of the two separations placed very close to each other making up $40,000, he placed his hands on both and said on a whispering tone, "take me home".

He fell from the roof at a scary speed and landed in his room with a baffling amount of money, Alex ran to the sitting room, after about a minute, she came back to the room tiptoeing. The room was filled with millions and a stench of money. She could've screamed, but everyone loves money so she kept quiet and protected the money with Jeff.

The next day, Jeff drove to work in a 2021 Mercedes Maybach GLS, dropped his resignation letter, and handed to his boss a brown envelope containing $171,000 to finance his business and pay the other employees he owed, and another one to Livingston containing $65,000 to finance his business idea.