Jump

  Stan Baker stood on the twenty-fifth story ledge of the United Insurance Co. building. A strong wind pushed Stan against the brick behind him. When the wind direction changed Stan would be thrown like a drunken rag doll to the pavement below.

  On the street below the crowd was chanting: “Jump-jump-jump...” Police and fireman were in the crowd screaming for Stan to jump as were his mother, brother and girlfriend.

  The hell with waiting. Stan took both hands and pushed away from the safety of the ledge. Instead of plummeting to the concrete Stan floated like a leaf, slow and harmless.

I’ll show the bastards. Stan continued his slow descent until until he hit the sidewalk where he splattered like an overripe melon.

  Stans mom stirred the crowd into a deafening cheer.

  A nameless bystander said,” Did you see that. He fell like a damn bowling ball. Cool.”

Robert Kasch