To Write a Wish

“This all for you today Benji?” Zoey asked as she handed a book across the counter to and into the waiting hands of the man who was a couple of years her junior.

“Yes, this is the last thing I’ll need,” he said with a wry smile as he ran his hand over the cover. It was a copy of How Full Is Your Bucket, a popular children’s book.

“Gift for a friend?” Zoey asked.

“No no, it’s for me,” he said, smiling at her. “I remembered reading it as a kid and I...wanted to read it again.”

“I see…” Zoey said, her words trailing off as she looked Benji up and down. “Everything alright?” she asked.

The question must have come as a surprise as the man seemed to jump at her inquiry. “N-no I’m fine. No need to worry!”

Zoey gave him a once-over again and frowned. She didn’t buy it. Benji had come to this particular bookstore for years. Something seemed off.

“How about you? Classes going well?” Benji said quickly, trying to change the subject.

Zoey’s features sank for a moment as her eyes turned down to face the counter between them. “They’re going...fine,” she said softly. “My scholarships haven’t come in yet so I’m a little worried about that.” She laughed a bit nervously as she messaged her arm.

“Hey, I’m sure it’ll come in. Just focus on your classes and you’ll be walking the stage before you know it!” he said with a bright smile.

It made Zoey smile too. “You’re right,” she said trying to sound confident. “I’ll be done before I know it!”

Benji nodded again as he collected his things, picking up a cup of coffee before almost immediately setting back down. “Ah, I almost forgot,” he said as he fumbled through his pockets to pull out a pen and a very worn black book. “What was it? What was it?” he said as he drummed on his temple with his pen, trying to jolt the memory back into his head. “The name of the barista today,” he said when he noted Zoey’s arched brow

“Laura?” Zoey asked as she craned her neck to try to see who was on staff today.

“That’s it!” Benji said with a snap of his fingers as he quickly scribbled something within the notebook before tucking it away.

“Always with that notebook,” Zoey said with a laugh. She had seen this behavior before. Benji seemed to take it out randomly to jot something down before putting it away. “What are you even writing in there?”

Benji’s gaze turned downward and Zoey could see as a frown tugged at his lips, but he was quick to smile again. “Hopes. Wishes,” he said as he pat the pocket he had stashed the notebook in. “People say it’s good luck to write a wish or dream down, so when I heard her say that her partner’s health hasn’t been the best lately, I decided to write one down for her.”

“That’s sweet of you,” Zoey said with a smile. “You’re taking care of yourself too right?

“You know me,” Benji said with a smile and not really answering the question. “I just want to help as many people as I can.”

Zoey nodded. “I’m sure you will,” she said, returning his smile. “Hopefully, that wish of yours comes true too.”

“I sure it will,” he said, still smiling but the slightest frown tugged at his lips. “Well, I best get going, there are a few loose ends I still have to take care of.”

“See you around Benji,” Zoey called after as he made for the door.

Benji gave another soft smile. “Yeah, you’ll see me again,” he said with one final nod before walking out the door.

With Benji gone, Zoey let herself frown again. She pulled her phone from her pocket and opened the app for her bank account. Her expression soured and she let out a heavy sigh. “I should probably pick up another shift or two if I can...”

* * *

“Zoey, yes?” a man in a sharp-dressed suit asked as he approached the counter.

“Y-yes?” Zoey said, taken aback. He was dressed far nicer than most customers she had encountered over the years. His suit was clean pressed and every accessory he wore seemed to be trimmed with gold. Whoever this man was, he screamed business. But the question was, what business did he have with her?

“This is for you,” he said as he produced an envelope from a binder he had tucked under his arm. “March 1st. 12 pm. Don’t be late,” he said simply as he handed the item over.

Zoey could feel her chest begin to rise and fall. Was she being served? She knew that tuition payments were approaching but she was certain she had more time and she didn’t think whatever action her college would take would be this extreme. She clasped the letter in shaky fingers and would only relax when she turned it over and saw a familiar name.

“Benji?” she asked when she read the ‘From the estate of Benjamin Caesar,’ where the return address was printed. “Is everything okay? I haven’t seen him in a while,” she asked.

“I can’t say anymore,” the suited man said flatly. “Just be there at the appointed time.” With nothing more to say, the man turned on his heels and proceeded out the exit without another word.

“Benji, what have you been up to?” Zoey said as she turned the letter over. It seemed important, even the back was sealed with wax.

“Zoey! Zoey!” Laura shouted as she came running up to the counter. “Did a man in a suit just come by here?” she asked.

“He just left,” Zoey replied as she gestured to the exit. She noticed the letter that Laura also clutched in her hands. “Did he give you one too?”

Laura nodded. “Yeah, from that weird...Benjamin guy,” she said, momentarily struggling to recall his name.

“He’s not weird,” Zoey said flatly.

“Totally is,” Laura said with a click of her tongue. “He’s always scribbling in that book of his,” she continued as she placed a hand on her hip. “Anyway, have you read yours yet?”

“No, I haven’t,” Zoey said as she flashed the unbroken seal on the back.

“Well, go on! You’ll see what I mean,” Laura said, waving her hand to hurry her along.

Zoey turned the letter over in her hand and slipped her finger along the fold to break the seal. She pulled a piece of paper from inside and read over the contents. It was short and to the point, but it still made Zoey clasp her hand over her mouth.

“See? Weird, right?” Laura asked.

But Zoey would not respond, she just read the letter over and over. It had a reminder of the date and the meeting location and three simple words.

For your dreams.

Sincerely,

Benjamin “Benji” Caesar

“What happened to you Benji?” she asked herself. She thought back to the last time she saw him and how something had seemed off. She remembered his parting words of how he still had ‘loose ends’ and wondered if the letter had anything to do with it.

Days went by and the predetermined date finally arrived. Zoey’s stomach did backflips her entire drive to her destination, the city’s courthouse. She drummed her fingers on her steering wheel, hoping the rhythmic tapping to songs on the radio would help distract her. It didn’t.

Since she had received the letter, each moment had been plagued with thoughts of Benji. She couldn’t help but think about what Benji could be summoning her for. When she arrived she found that she wasn’t the only one who appeared confused. There were several, maybe hundreds of people who, like her, had appeared at the behest of Benji. There seemed to be no rhyme, reason, or relation between them. Some young. Some old. Some appeared poor and even wealthy. People from all walks of life had been gathered here and for what reason, they did not know.

Still, they filtered into the courthouse and were ushered into a room that could barely fit the mob. The room was nearly empty, cleared to make room for all the chairs. The only thing that stood out was a table at the front of the room that was covered with stacks of envelopes. There was also a projection that hummed with light as it cast a still dark image onto a screen in front of them.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why you have been gathered here today,” the well-dressed from before said as he strode to the center of the room and leaned on the table for support. “You may think you were selected at random, but know that you were chosen with intent. However, I think it would be best for Mr. Caesar to explain it himself.”

The man picked up a remote from the desk and He turned a remote control towards the projector and the image hummed to life with an image of Benji sitting in a comfortable looking chair and a copy of How Full Is Your Bucket sitting on his lap. He wore a gentle smile and was dressed the same as the day she last saw him. Immediately, Zoey knew. Other’s caught on too, but for some, they would only understand after the recording of Benji would explain himself. The video of him flashed the worn book that he always carried on him, now it was in the hands of the well-dressed man before them. Before long, the video was already over, and before anyone could ask questions the well-dressed man opened Benji’s book and began to read its contents.

Names. It was only names.

With each one, the well-dressed man asked that they approach the table. He would hand them one of the many envelopes, bid them farewell as he crossed their name out before immediately going onto the next name. When no one would rise at a name, the man would simply scratch it out and move on. She heard Laura’s name get called but did not see her coworker rise. Finally, Zoey’s name was called and she too made that anxiety-filled walk down the aisle.

“Here you go,” the man said simply as he repeated the same practiced motion he had done with all the others. Zoey could only nod before following the same path as the others out.

When she entered the lobby, it was like a fanfare. People seemed to be cheering and screaming but Zoey couldn’t find the energy to celebrate. All she could think about was Benji and the interactions she had had with him over the years and how she would never have one again. It had been cut short, violently short and all she had to show for it now was this letter she was currently crinkling in her hands.

Zoey wordlessly made her way back to her car and simply sat in her seat. She didn’t start it or turn on the radio. Simply sat and stared at the letter she held in her hands.

“For your dreams,” it read on the front of the envelope. She could feel a tightness in her chest, bracing herself for what lay within. With shaky fingers, she tore at the edges of She opened the envelope and immediately felt tears run down her cheek and dot the envelope.

It was a check for twenty-thousand dollars. In the corner, there was one last note from Benji.

“Chase your dreams for I was able to chase mine.”