The Fortunate One

  There is a balance to the universe.  A cosmic scale weighs the good against the bad.  I had always subscribed to this premise, understanding that for every unfortunate occurrence in your life, there is an equal amount of wonderful.

   However, I very rarely remember this rule when I'm suffering from a heartache or disappointment, or equally when I'm ecstatic over some positive aspect.   When I'm depressed I don't sit there and say to myself "Well at least I still have all my teeth."  And, when I'm overwhelmed with joy or just drunk and having a great time I don't say"Yes but you still haven't paid off your car."

  Why would I?  When I'm down I milk that sorrow like a cows teat, and when I'm happy I wallow in my ecstasy like a warm bath filled with frothy bubbles.  

  I only really paid attention to balance of things when life was in neutral, when I could sit back and observe my existence without any heavily influencing emotions clouding my judgement.

  But my ability to compartmentalize my weights from the universe, failed me when I met Carter.  What kind of a name is Carter anyway?  Is it a first name, a last name?  Is it the beginning or the end.  I never did get the answer to that, as he was only in my life for twenty minutes.
  He, however is not the beginning of my story.  His brief adjournment into my life was only the pinnacle.  The beginning came about rather innocuously at a fair.