The Chronicles Of A Good Life

Today is a very important day possibly the most important day in all of human history. Four years ago an astronomer by the name of Godrick Bonham discovered that our solar system's planets were on the verge of becoming aligned. This was an extremely big deal because despite what was seen in movies and books the planets have never really aligned before in man's history. And so parties and banquets are being put in place around the world as the whole of mankind prepare for this monumental event. One such place is the American Museum of Natural History, which is where I currently work.

I work under Professor Matthew Dickens who is orchestrating the celebration that will occur this afternoon. What I do here is volunteer work so I could hangout at the museum after school. For most of the morning me and some of the janitors and Hank the security guard have been putting up decorations, and cleaning, wiping and dusting the exhibits. Right now I'm helping Hank move the medieval exhibit to make more room for the guests while the professor is helping one of the janitors wipe off the dust from the melee weapons case.

We've been at it scene 5am and it's close to 3pm. The alignment is happening at around 6pm and the guests should start to arrive around 5pm. I can braggingly say we made good time since we were just about done. Nothing much left to do, but go home and get ready. I went to find Professor Matthew to tell him I was going home and see if there was anything else he needed before I left. I found him in his office going over index card for what I think is his speech.

"Professor I'm heading home to get ready the shindig is there anything else you needed before I go?" He looked up from the cards.

"Huh oh... no  Damian just be back by 5:30" He looked down at notes." You wouldn't want to miss such momentous period in Man's history do you?"

"No, sir I'll be back in time." I turned out the door.

"Good remember wear something formal we are having some well know and respected individuals coming."

"Okay professor."

"One more thing Mr. Cobbs." turning my head back to him, he had a smirk on face and a brow raised.

"Shindig really?" I just smile back before stepping out.

The professor is a cool guy. When I first moved here coming to the museum was one of the first things I did. I'd visit as often as I could, I don't know what it was about the museum, but I felt at home here. Eventually the professor ask if I would like to work here and I said yes.

I closed the office door I made my way to the lobby door giving a quick wave to Frank and the custodians as I passed out the door. It's not a far walk trip to and from my apartment as long as the subways worked fine. I walk down the crowded sidewalk maneuvering through thick mass of pedestrians. Having lived in New York for the past four years I learned how to work my way around the streets. It's not hard really you just have to know your bearings and your set. I made it to the subway just as the train had pulled in.

The trains are ok sometimes the cars smell like piss and other times like puke, but the ride is fairly short for me. I'm sitting and thinking about the planetary alignment, and how the world, this generation got lucky enough to witness such historic event. Most scientists were baffled by this because of how the planets moved and orbits the sun an alignment like this should not happen. I guess they're just wrong because every man, women, and child in this lifetime will be the only ones for who knows how long the planets line up.

But, for me it means so much more mainly because its different from the day to day. It's something the next generations won't have this event will be ours alone. It will make us standout from those how came and those will come to be.

more so for me this event means change.

I mean I'm eighteen years old in two months I graduate from high school. Then, after that what go to college or art school to be precise since I want to be a comic artist and writer. And, later find a job a spend some unknown number of years doing the same thing even if it's something I like doing. And, Finally retire in some old folks home. All of that is just living loving through the motions of life. I don't want to live through life's motions, I want to live life.

Unfortunately humanity has reached a point where all we can do is live. As a species we have no purpose in the cycle of life anymore. We took ourselves out of nature's equation, and now hit the dead end. We made our exists one big dull boring routine.

The train stopped at my destination and I got off. I walked the street heading for the corner of the apartment where I live at. As usual Leo your somewhat friendly neighborhood hotdog vender was at the corner. Leo's a cool guy he came from Ohio to go to art school here in the big apple. He got kicked out for sleeping with one of teacher's wife. He a fairly decent guy I wouldn't turn my back on him, he can be a bit of a klepto sometimes.

"Hey Leo how many pockets did ya pick today?" I called out to as I approached. I decide to fuck with him a little.

Leo turned his head towards me as he was handing a hotdog to a customer who was now checking his pockets to see if anything was missing. Satisfied that nothing was taken he left with paying.

"hey where do you think your goin' you gotta pay for that!" Leo yelled waving his pick fork in the air. "Damn"

Leo looks at me annoyed.

"What trying to do kid ruin my business here?!" Putting a hand on his hip.

"Which business the one where you sell hotdogs or the one where you go through some poor guy pocket taking his valuables?" I said a smirk firmly on my face.

"Haha your cute you know that."

"I know I am, but I prefer girls saying than some creepy kleptomaniac." I walked on before he could reply.This was normal for me and Leo we always mess with each other when we meet.

The apartment I live in is pretty old it's been around since 40's I think, it's still very well taken care of. The elevator has been acting funky lately so the residents have to use the stairs. I open the door to find Cameron Price siting on the last step.

"Hey Damian thought it'd be about time ya came back decided I'd wait here for ya." He said as he got up.

" What made you decide to wait for me here?" We did our usual handshake greet.

"Just thought I'd see you before you go to egghead party?"

Cameron has been my friend since we meet in ninth grade. We'd always play on his xbox at his house, and go to the movies on weekends. He was a great friend to have when thing get too boring, he'd always find some way to make something fun. Even though he can be a little annoying at times, like the time he pulled a prank which involved me think I was buried alive. But, I always forgive his tall black ass in the end.

" It's not an egghead party," We began climding tthe stairs. " It's a party to celebration the planetary alignment."

"Oh yeah I forgot about the whole planets lining up thing." Rolling my eyes at him.

"How could you forget something like that it's been big news all year." We reached my floor. " Sometimes I worry about your mental health it seems like you forget things more and more.

"That's cause I don't remember stuff unless it's important," I could only shake my head, only Cameron would find the once in a lifetime celestial event uninteresting.

Arriving at my door I fished around  for my housekey. I find it unlocked my door, and went in leaving the door open for Cameron. The T.V. was on in the living area and a plate covered in crumbs. That could only mean mine aunt Dora was here.

" Aunt Dora!" I didn't get a reply. I put my key on the counter where we always put our keys and spare change.

"Aunt Dora!" Again no reply"

"Maybe she stepped out" Cameron sat on the couch helping himself to a bag of chips on the table that ws beside the empty plate.

"Yeah, but she's usually home late."

Aunt Dora is my legal guardian. She pretty much raised me since my mom dumped me on her when I was about two.

Dora is a good person she took me in with no regets, but the fact that my mom didn't want to raise me herself. I hardly remember anything about my mom, and Dora said my dad died when she was around three months pregnant with me.

But, whatever I haven't thought either of them in years. I just didn't really care about know my long lost parents like most people would what happened, happened the end. Beside I had aunt Dora, and shes been real good to me that all that matters I guess.

"Well I gonna go get ready the party starts at five, you sure you don't wanna go?"

"Nah I'll just watch the event in the news their gonna do a countdown for it" Cameron raised his arm " Happy New Alignment!"

I just shook my head and entered my room. It was nice room plane but nice and messy. There were articles of clothing everwhere, I should make a note to clean my room soon. I went to my closet, and took out a tuxedo already clean, ironed, and pressed. It was one of aunt Dora's ex's suits but he left behind when she kicked him out.

In the tuxedo's front pocket there was a folded piece of paper. I open it, it was a letter from aunt Dora.

Hey Damian have fun at the party sorry I can't come, but you know more hours more money.

P.S. Could you take care of the little mess I made in the kitchen thanks.

P.S.S  If Cameron's stay over lock the fridge That kids a glutton.

P.S.S.S I LOVE YOU!

A smile creped it's way onto my face. Aunt Dora, you are such a goof. I love you too. Okay time to suit up.