Sarah: Find it On Your Own

The sun set on the city of Albuquerque, in the way it does to turn the Sandia mountains a soft shade of pink against the dimming deep blue sky. Down at the Century Rio 24 Theatre everyone from young children to lovers to seniors entered and left, as the movies played. Around the city middle-aged men were in for another late night at the office. Cars milled about the road in a way that makes the city look like a well oiled machine ready for a break. Mothers and children walked home from the park. Tables were set for dinner. Grade schoolers returned home from grabbing a Keva, or Starbucks, or playing video games, with their friends. It was dusk.

Jasmine sat on the bed in her apartment. With her cat constantly acting as a distraction, she attempted to read and work on homework. Another Dawson's Creek episode played across her computer screen. Then she ate, fed Loki, chatted online with loved ones, and fell asleep.

Across town, Abe sat behind the counter of a Fedex Office store. He texted his girlfriend while they both worked. A regular was using the internet. He looked up from the quiet desk, while laminating a few cards. A customer came in for copies and to ship a package. He tended to him like he tended to all the other customers. As the man left, he could see Abe through the window, laminating and texting.

Sirens wailed; it was a typical busy night. At least that's what Sarah figured from inside her cozy gated apartment. After hanging out with her boyfriend, she decided to shove off homework and watch an episode of Veronica Mars. Three episodes later, her quiet roommate told her that she was going to bed. Sarah stayed awake, watching.

Somewhere, thousands of miles from the city, Meghan was fast asleep with her cat. Raleigh, N.C., although a busy city, became a quiet and still as the sun fell. Meghan has an important exam the next day. Books were spread across the floor along with an empty cup of tea and a tea pot. In a few hours, she will wake up, study, and head to class pencil in hand.

On the opposite side of the country, Douglas stands in the kitchen of his apartment. The rain is pouring in Seattle. He is hungry. Like most college students, he pulled some noodles from his cabinet, boiled them, and opened the Prego. He thought of his mother's cooking briefly, then finished off a bowl of easily made spaghetti and marinara. His roommates were in the living room watching a movie, trying to relax after the rainy, albeit, busy day.

As each of these five actively or passively lives their lives, the end of the day for each of them signals only one more day passed and one more day to come. The setting sun holds no promises, no opportunity, no fate, and no large significance. These, they will have to find on their own.