Chapter 84: Wish Tree
- DEX -
There’s something about Fridays.
Ever since being a child in school, Fridays were always the most exciting day of the week. It was the final day of school before the weekend started, and usually Fridays were either a fun day in classes or the day of tests, which meant there was tension leading up to that day that was finally released when the tests were over.
The weekends were for celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying the absence of mundane expectations. And if there was homework, it could be postponed until Sunday night. Ugh, dreaded Sunday nights...
At work, Friday feels similar to how it did in school. There’s an extra buzz of excitement in the air and once again I find myself appreciating the fact that this is no ordinary office building with no ordinary rooms and dull interiors. Many workers are walking around, visiting with others. It’s an easy, playful environment that I’m proud to be part of. It’s definitely better than school, that’s for sure.
After dropping my bag in the office, I notice there is a small potted stick-like tree that has appeared on the top floor since yesterday. It has several colorful strips of fabric hanging from it in place of leaves, which reminds me of a weeping willow. I walk out to where the tree is, drawn by curiosity and appreciating the unexpected and unusual addition to the office. What are the workers at Mobius Media up to now?
Upon further inspection, I see that the tree itself is actually a collection of large, whittled sticks bound together to simulate an actual tree. And pieces of fabric are tied around these decorative ’limbs.’ There appear to be designs carved into the sticks, and I’m squinting at them trying to see what they are when Laurel walks up next to me.
"Isn’t it beautiful?" She asks. "Chandra from Creative is going to India in a few weeks and will be visiting a famous wish tree there. She thought to collect wishes from anyone here at the office that would like them to be offered to the tree. There are strips of peace silk here," she picks up a long strip from a small nearby table. "The wish is written on this and tied around the stick. Chandra will be dismantling this tree and taking only the sticks when she goes."
I glance at Laurel, crossing my arms in interest. "That is beautiful. What a great idea... and a generous opportunity for anyone who wishes to engage in the practice without having to travel to the tree themselves."
"It is certainly more romantic than tossing coins into a well. In my opinion," she adds with a small laugh.
Laurel hands me the pale piece of silk, and I run it through my fingers, the feel reminding me of Raya’s hair this morning and the way it was draped over my pillow.
"What designs are these?" I ask, pointing to the intricate designs on the wood.
"I believe she has created a flyer explaining everything and will be bringing it today, but I do remember Chandra saying that they are mandalas from an ancient hymn. The act of making and tying the wishes on a branch is a form of meditation. It’s a way of manifesting visions of what a beautiful world would look like."
"So the wishes are our ideas of what a beautiful world would be?" I ask, making sure I’m understanding this correctly.
"Right," Laurel smiles brightly. There is an intense interest in her expression that makes my own retreat, warning me that there is something more she is seeking from this conversation.
"I guess I’ll have to think about that one. Thanks, Laurel," I smile politely and take the silk with me back to the office, reminding myself to speak more with Chandra about this project.
These are the kinds of brilliant, engaging ideas that make me see hope in working in the office with real people who are talented and creative instead of traveling out on my own in some new part of the world. There are real benefits to being here, and this is a perfect example.
Once I’m seated back behind my desk and lifting open my laptop, Lawson peeks in through our shared doorway like he was waiting there the whole time.
"What happened to you yesterday?" He asks before coming in and standing next to me.
"I had a client to meet with," I answer vaguely, turning to my screen instead of being forced to look up at him like he probably intends.
"But you were supposed to be on the photo shoot." He crosses his arms in a clear indication of judgment.
"Everything was covered. I wasn’t needed there," I say, still avoiding looking at him. Instead, I pull up the Verdure information again that I gave Raya and scroll through as if I’m concentrating on work when I’m really just avoiding my brother so that he will become bored and leave. If I don’t engage, he won’t persist.
"You can’t just ditch a photo shoot like that, Dex."
My jaw ticks in irritation at the tone and the statement, but I’m not going to be baited today. It’s Friday. I have a date with Raya tonight, and hopefully I’ll get to spend another night with that beautiful woman in my arms.
"I explained it to Jeremy. Everything was under control and well-organized in my absence, and that is my job," I say with disinterest. "I’m meeting with him today to look over the images."
"Well I hope they turned out. From what I heard, our model was a handful yesterday because she was expecting you to be there shooting her."
"That wasn’t my job, Lawson," I mumble, opening my email and scanning the inbox. Then I decide to do a search for this wish tree in India so I can read more about it. Once I start typing in the search box, Lawson scoffs and finally gives up and leaves.
The images that come up of this tree are similar to the one we now have in our office, and I lean back in my chair with a smile. I pick up the silk again and pull it through my fingers, lost in daydreams now of my night with Raya.
What would my vision of a beautiful world be? I have a much better idea of how to answer that question now than I would have a week ago.
