Mac awoke to the sound of heavy rain beating against his bedroom window. His room reeked of beer from a three-day binge. He stumbled out of bed, bound for the bathroom. The cold tile on the bathroom floor made his feet feel alive but did little for his aching head. He reached for the comb on the counter and noticed the Christmas Cactus that Annie gave him had bloomed with vibrant pink flowers. “Take time to enjoy its beauty and perhaps you will appreciate life more,” Annie stated as she walked out the door. It was her last gesture of kindness before giving up on Mac.
Mac grumbled and turned his eyes away from the cactus. As he combed his wiry gray hair and smoothed his bushy eyebrows with his index finger, he caught a glimpse of the blooming display in the mirror. It was full of life and somehow seemed poignant to him. It was then that he understood what Annie meant.
Eager to share his outlook on life, Mac picked up his phone and dialed Annie’s number, hoping it was not too late.
