Missed Opportunity (2020)

Note: I do not recall who sent me this photo, but the story suddenly came to me today, and thus, here we are. If it was you, please do let me know.

Luis adjusted his wide-brimmed hat against the glare of the afternoon sun, sweat glistening on his brow as he paced through his yard. His worn black Havaianas slapped softly against his feet with each casual step, their thin soles brushing the dry, cracked earth beneath them. It was a tranquil Sunday, the kind meant for simple pleasures—like tending to his lawn. The tall, well-built man inspected the freshly mowed grass, his sharp eyes lingering on the dry patches that disrupted the otherwise lush green. He frowned slightly, mentally running through solutions, when he spotted a man approaching from the sidewalk.

“Good afternoon!” the man called out, his voice warm and confident as it carried over the distant hum of a neighbor’s lawnmower. “Name’s John, from Evergreen Lawn Services. I couldn’t help but notice your beautiful yard. I wanted to introduce myself and see if you’d be interested in some regular maintenance.”

Luis paused, brushing the back of his hand across his forehead before giving the man a once-over. John, clutching a clipboard and a business card, exuded energy and confidence—an approachable mix that Luis found instantly trustworthy.

“Oh yeah?” Luis replied, tipping his hat back slightly. “I’ve been doing most of the work myself, but it’s no walk in the park, especially with those dry patches.” He motioned to the unsightly brown areas dotting his yard. “What do you guys offer?”

John launched into his practiced pitch, detailing the company’s expertise: mowing schedules, fertilization, drought-resistant treatments—everything a proud homeowner could need. Luis nodded along, chiming in with questions every so often. The smaller man’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Luis found himself genuinely considering the offer.

“Sounds good,” Luis said finally, cracking a grin as he accepted John’s business card. “Let me run this inside so I don’t misplace it.”

John handed it over eagerly, flashing a smile. “Take your time. I’ll be right here.”

Luis turned and strolled toward his house, his sandals clapping softly against the pathway. The screen door creaked as he stepped inside. Meanwhile, John glanced around the yard, silently admiring the effort Luis had clearly put into maintaining the place. He reminded himself to get the man’s name before leaving; Luis seemed like the kind of client worth keeping.

Then it happened.

A strange, unexplainable sensation rippled through John’s body. It was as if a powerful wind had swept through him, pulling him downward. His surroundings blurred, twisting and warping into a surreal nightmare. When his vision cleared, his stomach sank. The once-normal yard now stretched endlessly in all directions, its blades of grass towering like skyscrapers. His clipboard lay far below, a distant and unreachable relic.

“What’s happening?!” John stammered, his voice faint and high-pitched. He stumbled backward, his breaths coming fast and shallow. “No, no, no…”

Before he could process his plight, a deep, rhythmic thudding shook the ground beneath him. John turned just in time to see Luis emerge from the house, his tall frame looming like a monolith. The giant man scratched the back of his neck, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Where’d he go…?” Luis muttered, his voice booming through the air. He stepped forward, his sandal flattening the grass with effortless power, the vibrations knocking John off his feet.

“HELP ME!” John screamed, waving his arms frantically as Luis’s sandal stopped mere inches from him—an impossibly vast wall of black rubber. But the giant didn’t hear him. He simply stood there, perplexed, scanning the yard.

Desperation clawed at John’s chest. He ran toward Luis’s sandal, clambering up its ridged surface like a mountaineer scaling a cliff. The faint smell of worn rubber and sunbaked dirt filled his senses as he climbed, gripping the grooves for dear life.

Luis shifted his weight.

The sudden movement sent John tumbling to the edge, his tiny hands clutching the curved sole as he dangled precariously above the ground. From his perch, he could hear Luis’s voice rumbling above, unconcerned.

“Huh,” the giant said, placing his hands on his hips. “Guess I’ll just call him later.”

With that, Luis turned and resumed his yard work. The sandal lifted, flinging John into the air like a speck of dust. He landed harshly on the rough terrain, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Dazed, he opened his eyes just in time to see the enormous shadow of Luis’s foot looming over him.

There was no time to move. No time to scream.

The sandal descended.

Luis, blissfully unaware, went about his afternoon, his thoughts already drifting to the next project on his list. He’d call the number, and would get service, but he never did see John again.

Shame, he'd have invited him for a beer or something.