“The motion of the wings of a butterfly can trigger a hurricane.” Those words haunted him. The notion that the smallest act or event had a cumulative, rippling effect that could snowball into death and disaster changed him.

He considered every step now, weighing the impact of his feet on the pavement. Eventually, he mastered a virtual economy of movement, preserving the balance of kinetic energy he exerted. His fluid, measured body motions and even breathing reminded people of a dancer. It was same the kind of control a ballet dancer required to perform complicated choreography and make it appear effortless. It helped him achieve a sort of inner peace to know that by being so thoughtful about his own acts, he was helping to prevent the possibility of natural catastrophe.

Until he ate those refried beans and started Hurricane Wilma.

Copyright 2005 Amy Frushour Kelly. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means prohibited without prior written consent.