Return Trip

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the line: "You have a lot to learn"

Return Trip

“You have a lot to learn.”

Yeah, right. It’s not like I haven’t heard that a million times before. Samuel grumbled, knowing full well his thoughts were an open book. He let the gate swing closed behind him, then, with his head hanging down on his chest, Samuel shuffled Charlie Brown-like down a forested path. 

He came upon the viewing pond but refused to look into its depths. He’d seen it all before. There was nothing new for him. He would just see what was waiting for him when he went back. Bills, fears and tears lined up in anticipation of his arrival no doubt.

Peter had said he could take some time. “Stay a while. Have some fun. You may find that being sent back is not such a bad thing. Take all the time you need, but remember, you must go back eventually.”

Samuel took full advantage of his reprieve. He played golf and never made a bad shot. He ate like a pig and never gained weight. There were no worries, no wars. Life was good; at least for a while. Eventually, he came to feel that something was missing. He’d had everything he wanted simply handed to him and yet his soul felt empty.

One day Samuel again came upon the viewing pond. Why not? he thought. Getting down on his hands and knees, he leaned over the surface. The water shimmered for a while then settled to reveal the most beautiful, innocent, young woman he had ever seen. In that moment he knew what was missing. It was something beyond value. It was something that must be earned before it could be given freely.

“So you are ready to return. What made you change your mind?” Peter asked knowingly.

“I’d forgotten. I forgot about Love”