James had never known himself to be so stupid. He couldn't see how he did it again. It seemed like a simple task, uncomplicated, similar to breathing. But James never saw the world in simple numbers. No. There had to be a reason. There just had to be.

At the next stoplight he threw the car into a parking lot, cursed, and made his way out. East. He was heading west. He had to find it. It held his life. Well, at least enough of it to make things complicated.

He replayed the events. He paid the waitress with his shiny platinum card. While waiting for her return he drank his Mountain Dew, starring at the saltshaker remembering how the doctor told him to 'watch his salt'. She put the card on the table next to his wallet, he signed and left.

A car pulled out; James quickly jerked the wheel and slammed his brakes, but it was too late.

While lying on his back, James could make out the sound of a woman. The walls were white and her voice was cold. He concluded that he was in a hospital. She wanted some kind of identification. Proof that he was.

This was something James could not bargain. He was unable to speak. She gave up, leaving him there alone. He thought silently, waiting for help. James got angry. He thought about that car that pulled out. The driver of that car wasn't paying attention. James was. Then he thought about the wallet. How could he have forgotten? He then remembered the waitress was talking to him as he left. She was distracting him; flirting with him. If she had been quiet he wouldn't be looking at the ceiling right now. This, James thought, was her fault. But then James considered her job. She had to talk to him. She had to improve her tips. The company taught her this. It must be the company's fault. James then remembered that someone owns the company. That 'person' must enforce these things. It's his fault. No wait, James thought, he has to enforce them in order to make a living, to provide for his family. Society demands this. Obviously it's societies fault.

Either that or James just forgot his wallet.

Learn more about this author, Cyrus Moslemi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Are people taking less personal responsibility for themselves today??
We want to hear your view. Write now!