Fountain

By Julie Evans

He closed his eyes and tossed a coin into the fountain’s rush.

“What did you wish for?” asked Sophia.

“Forgiveness,” he replied.

“For what? What have you done?”

“For what I am about to do.”

Stubbing out his cigarette, he shook off his dusty sandals and stepped over the fountain’s rim, wading in deeper towards the central statue. Sophia watched, horrified, as he bent down and scooped up coins, filling the pockets of his rolled-up jeans. He gave her an amused smile as he returned.

“The gods won’t like it,” she said.

He shrugged. “I’m too hungry to care. Let’s eat.”