I'll be back in 10

Berkeley, California – 2010

Another night. Another sleepless night.

Her sleep was either interrupted or non-existent since the beginning of the school term. Was it the stress from homework, new classes, new fiends, new everything? Or was it the most obvious culprit? The elephant in the room, as they say. The State Finals.

Since Hannah was one of the initial selections in the school's basketball team, she really shined. She made the first team, after the first try-outs. Her coaches sang her praise at every chance. They kept telling her and her parents how good she was. That she was the star of the team. That she had a brilliant career in professional basketball if she really wanted it. The fact that the MVP award was hers in most games reflected those bold acclaims.

It was 2am. She couldn't sleep that night as usual. She decided to get out of bed and use all that tense in a more productive way than just staring at the ceiling of her room. She put her gym clothes and her favourite running shoes on. The shoes were so worn that their soles were almost flat. But she didn't mind. It was thanks to those shoes and her hard training routine that she had broken record after record. And she had no intention of replacing them any time soon.

She got out of the house as quietly as a mouse, even though both of the parents were heavy sleepers. It was the middle of Spring, yet the air was chilly. She inhaled deeply and felt her lungs filling with the cold air. She exhaled and saw her breath as thick as smoke. She took a quick peak around the neighbourhood before she started her run. The street was so peaceful so late at night. No lights could be seen from any of the neighbours' houses, except the street lights. She took one, two steps and started running.

Hannah wasn't a fan of setting a timeline for her running sessions. When she was out of breath or her thoughts were less foggy, she used to simply turn around and head home in a slower pace. She had so much excess energy that night, so she kept running. She run on a few empty streets and some busier roads. She also crossed her favourite bridge. So many nice memories there. Before all these responsibilities grounded her spirit.

She saw lights on her left when she reached a crossing. She decided to explore it a bit, by making a sharp turn. When she reached the lights, she realised it was one of those 24/7 convenience stores. These stores were so handy, in case you felt hungry in the middle of the night or in need of a drink. She stopped at its entrance and noticed a pink neon sign that proudly stated “24/7”. Its constant flickering didn't look so proud though. She felt thirsty after a good half an hour of running, so she stepped in. She looked around the store. It was your typical mini but have-it-all store. The lighting, however, was not this bright white fluorescent one. It was warmer, less bright, and more welcoming.

After a quick browse in front of the fridge, she picked her favourite zero calories energy drink. She walked to the counter, expecting no queue so late at night. In her surprise, there was an old woman in front of her, paying for some over-the-counter paracetamol. When she finished paying, the woman thanked the store owner and slowly exited the store, without paying attention to Hannah or her surroundings.

Hannah took a look at the store owner, before handing him the energy drink. He was at his fifties, perhaps a bit older. His white hair and beard matched in colour and thickness. He wore glasses. Those kind of glasses that shouted “Sorry, I've got really bad eyes.” His sweater was a bit worn around the neck and his walking gave a hint of a limp. She casually nodded at him, while she was passing him the bottle. He met her eyes, but showed no expression.

“Can't sleep again?” he startled her. His voice was soft, yet serious.

“Eh, no ... excuse me?” she said, while trying to hide her awkwardness. “How do...?”

“Apologies, I've seen you more than a few nights jogging across the street, so I recognised you the minute you walked in.” he replied, without revealing any kind of expression. Still a blank face.

“I see.” Hannah said. “Well, yeah I prefer running during the night. It's much more ... quiet.” Her own words made her think if what she just said, was actually true.

“That will be four dollars” he said firmly.

“Sorry?” Hannah was startled again.

“The energy drink” the man said. “That will be four dollars.”

Hannah noticed that was the first time his face gave way to a faint smile. “Oh yeah sorry, here you are” she handed him the money and refused a receipt.

“Are you an athlete?” the man asked, with a very weak effort to start a conversation. It seemed like his questions were out of necessity or strict courtesy. “Your form, when you run,” he continued “It shows a lot about yourself. Is it track, swimming?”

“Basketball” she said and straightened her back with a show of ego. “Top of my team too.”

“Wow” he said. He tried to express admiration, but clearly couldn't. Or he didn't want to, as his response indicated sarcasm. “And how's life outside of the court? Any friends, boyfriend or girlfriend?”

She squeezed her eyes, trying  not to respond confrontationally, as his questions became more personal. But for some reason, and even though she felt annoyed, she didn't want to give him this satisfaction. So, she played it cool.

“Lots of friends. Let's say I'm popular enough to be chosen prom queen last year. And I don't have a boyfriend. I've got the boyfriend.” She said almost arrogantly. “He's the captain of our football team.” She straightened her back even more.

“It all sounds dreamy. Why can't you sleep then?” he said, having returned to his emotionless face.

“Since you sound all wise and knowledgeable, why don't you tell me?” now she was annoyed, and made sure to show it.

“Do you have a purpose in life?” he asked her without hesitation.

“What about you? What's your purpose in life? Servicing old drunks at 3am? You must be living the dream.” Hannah replied fiercely.

“Ha” he gave a laugh, not showing any signs of frustration. “You see, there is no higher purpose that servicing other people.”

“Sure, sure, whatever...” she said and started walking out. It wouldn't have made any sense to keep talking to him.

“I'll tell you what” he stopped her. He reached below the counter and grabbed something. When he stood back again, his hands held a basketball firmly. “I've got a small hoop at the back. It's nothing special, but if you beat me on a quick 1-on-1, I'll admit that you're right and I'm wrong.” That faint smile returned to his face.

Hannah wondered for a few seconds. On one hand, she thought to ignore him and head back home. It was so late after all. On the other hand, she pictured herself going back to bed, staring at the ceiling. What if she proved him wrong? She could clearly beat an old man with a limp in her own specialty. In her own game. “What about the store?” she said.

“What about it?” the man replied instantly.

“Don't you need to, you know, manage it? What if anybody shows up, wanting to buy something?” she shrugged.

“Let me worry about it.” he said with a certainty. “So? Do we have a deal?”

“Oh what the heck. Let's do this!” Hannah said and at the same time all the lights in the store flickered. “Weird.” she thought and headed out in the back. The man followed her shortly after he put a “I'll be back in 10” note on top of the counter.

The hoop was nothing special indeed. It was old, small and rusty, but it would work for now. There was a street lamp that offered some of its light to the back of the store. Its surroundings were full of discarded storage, unwanted or expired products. “It looks messy but it will do” she said, while setting herself to a defensive position.

“You want me to go first?” the man asked.

“By all means, go for it.” Hannah replied with an overconfident smirk on her face.

The limp at his leg was obvious, but he looked mobile enough to make a few basic basketball moves at least.

Out of the blue, the street light flickered and she was distracted for a brief moment. When she regained her focus, she looked at her right side in surprise. The man was already past her with a speed that she'd never seen. Not even in TV, not even in the NBA. He finished his turn with an easy lay-up.

“What was that? How did you...?”

“Wrong question.” He interrupted her. “Your turn.” she passed her the ball.

“Right, no more kidding around.” she said and pressed her lips, although she couldn't stop thinking about his previous move. Such speed, such agility. Who was this man? This was unreal. She tried to quickly discard those thoughts. She had to focus. She had to beat him. She had to prove him wrong. Thoughts of self-doubt started creeping in her. She pressed her lips one more and began dribbling the ball with advanced dexterity.

She thought she was more athletic and stronger, so she decided to initiate close contact to put him off balance. As soon as she did that, she realised how wrong she was. His body stood firm like a concrete wall. “What's going on?” she thought. He can't be that strong. She tried his other side, but he moved against her direction and set his body accordingly. Again, she met a wall. A wall that didn't even flinch in contact with her well-trained body.

“You're doing it wrong.” he said with a soft voice. It almost came out like a whisper. The street light above them flickered again.

Hannah finally went for the long-range option, so she made the shoot from a 3-meters distance. The ball bounced on the hoop and landed at the man's hands. Before thinking to switch to defence, she shouted at him “Who are you? Is this a joke?”

“Again, wrong question.” he said again with a soft voice.

Hannah's anger had bested her and she wanted to explode. She never felt so defeated. So ridiculed. She wouldn't take it. She walked a few steps back and picked up a rock. In frustration, she aimed for a nearby window that perhaps it was one of the store's back windows. She pressed her lips and threw the rock with all her strength. The street light flickered once more.

She blinked for a second after the throw, only to realise that the man was standing in front of the window, with his right arm slightly raised. When he opened his fist, the rock Hannah threw fell to the ground. She blinked twice in disbelief and thought she saw a smile on his face.

“The right question is – why didn't you notice?” the man said with such calmness, like nothing happened.

Hannah couldn't utter a single word. Her thoughts focused on trying to explain the impossible, but with no success. How did he manage to cross a 5 or 6-meters distance in a split second? How did he catch that rock with his bare hand?

The man broke the silence and said “I guess we should sit down and have a chat then.” He pointed to a wooden bench nearby, next to some storage boxes.

Hannah nodded and sat next to him. It felt like they spent hours talking. For the first time, Hannah was the one listening, as she kept silent most of the time. There was something mystical about this man. Every word and every move of him indicated a man of total self-awareness.

“You missed my first move. You couldn't get past me, even though you're stronger. Then, it took only a moment of anger to make you want to destroy something that never harmed you.” the man said and she thought he sounded like her favourite teacher at school.

“You've got some many thoughts in your head. About what happened in the past. The mistakes you've made. The ifs and buts. Then you also worry about the future. Which is not even here yet!” he raised his voice with his arms raised high. He continued. “All this is garbage. Throw it out. Empty your mind. And finally, realise.”

“Realise what?” Hannah decided to end the one-sided discussion.

“Memento Mori” the man said firmly. “That you are going to die at some point. We all are. Either tomorrow or 60 years from now. It doesn't matter. The important thing is – you're going to die.” He kept a firm look on her, like a tutor in the classroom. “And instead of living your life at its fullest, instead of living every moment like it's your last, you're wasting it with your doubts and fears” he took a breath and whispered “You're simply existing.”

Hannah only nodded. His calm words stroke harder than her coach's shouts at practice.

“A wise Roman philosopher once said – Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” His soft voice returned again and with it, his eyes softened too.

“Come on” he stood up. “Let me treat you to a protein bar as a farewell gift. I hope you learnt something today”.

Hannah stood up soon after him and thanked him for everything. As she was exiting the store, she overheard the man saying “Aha, right on time” and saw him removing the “10 minutes” note he'd put on the counter before their game. She looked at her watch and only 10 minutes had passed. She witnessed a few miracles that night, so that was another one in her list of unexplained events.

“I just realised that I don't even know your name” Hannah asked with a gentle smile on her face.

“It doesn't matter.” the man said. “Call me whatever you like.”

“Hmm, I'll call you ... Plato”. She gave a laugh. “I like it. I think it suits you.”

He shrugged and his face went blank again. Then, she started the run back home. That night was the first night in a long time that Hannah slept like a baby.

The following day, she decided to make a quick stop on her way to school. Perhaps she'd see him again. Perhaps she'd have enough time to thank him once more or even have a brief chat. When she reached the store, the door was wide open. The pink 24/7 neon sign was still there, but not flickering any more. She walked in and went straight to the counter. Instead of Plato, there was another man behind the cash machine. She noticed the lights. The fact that they were different seemed odd to her. They were bright white instead of the warmer ones she saw last night. “Did they replace them overnight?” she thought.

“Good morning.” Hannah cheerfully greeted him. “Is Plato...eh, sorry, is the man, who was working the night shift yesterday, here today?

The man scratched his head. “I'm sorry, miss.” he said. “I think you mixed up the dates. We were close last night due to a family emergency. Also,” he added “there's no one else working in this store, besides me and my wife. Never has been for a few years now. Day or night shift.”

Hannah was speechless. What happened last night? Was she dreaming it after all? It can't be. It felt so real. She was here. Plato was here. She shook her head to ease the shock. “Oh, OK, well thanks anyway and sorry about that. Have a nice day.” she said and promptly exited the store before the man had a chance to speak.

Not far from the store, she walked past a trash bin. Next to it, there was a small white paper. It was one of those small post-it notes. But this one looked familiar. She picked it up and turned it around. She recognised the words immediately – “I'll be back in 10.”

She raised her head to face the morning sun and smiled.