Turtle Guidence

His tousled hair and dripping clothes made him look like some middle-aged man who let his drinking problem go too far, which was absolutely true, but why would  he want someone to view him as that, true or not. The rain made Tom’s cheap work shoes squeak as he hobbled down the street, not knowing where he was going, nor did he care. He found the note after a long day of working to support his family. In rushed handwriting it wrote some cliché break up line as if a high schooler took his wife's place.  He’d known this was coming, their relationship was only getting worse since they had become high school sweethearts. Maybe his mom was right about high school sweethearts, who on earth even peaks in high school anyway? 

Tom had yet to explore religion, but still dropped to his knees on the street and asked god for forgiveness for anything he could have done that would have led up to this. “For god's sake why me-'' Tom laughed, realizing if he wanted forgiveness he should probably resist from using god's name in vain. He mocked himself for trying to pray and continued down the gloomy road. He believed she was all he had, he was nothing without her, just a piece of crap of a man who works in an office building, and few could argue that was wrong. If Tom lacked one thing in life, specifically now, it was guidance and security. His mom had passed away when he was young and his dad was a workaholic while Tom grew up, which resulted in limited normal father-son affection. 

Tom walked towards the docs at the edge of town and found himself watching the moonlight sparkle off the water. He was not one to enjoy the little things, he usually made decisions for other people, rarely stopping for himself or actually taking in anything. Turtles were his moms favorite thing in the world. The house was still cluttered with any turtle related artifacts and his dad avoided throwing even the cheapest of them out. Tom watched a turtle climb up on the sandy beach, probably going to check on her eggs but he doesn't remember much about turtles. Now you know those instances that seem so obscure you refrain from telling people because you just  know they won't believe you? While Tom wasn't one to believe in any reincarnation type stuff, the turtle seemed so similar to his mom it was crazy, how could a turtle even imitate a human?

“I’m so proud of you” The turtle seemed to mouth, comforting but also confusing Tom even more.  

Bewildered tom stuttered, “Wha- what?” The turtle slowly made its way towards the edge of the beach facing the same road he stumbled down just a minute ago, and Tom followed. 

“Go on, you deserve better.” The turtle once again seemed to whisper, then turned around back forwards the water. Tom glanced back once more towards the creature, and then followed its directions, as if he knew they were the right thing to do. Out of Toms 28 years of life, this definitely ranked up as one of the most uncanny experiences. While being a mysterious occurrence it gave Tom the guidance he needed to make it through such a round time. Without a doubt he knew he wasn't meant to work in an office and daydream about getting his ex-wife back, instead he knew he deserved to follow a new, more adventurous and rewarding path.