Excerpt of My Thesis Novel The Cobalt Legacy, Dedicated to Kelly, the Nicest Guy Ever


When it gets cold enough, clouds form right above Lake Superior.

The first time I noticed these low-hanging clouds I wanted to walk across the surface of Lake Superior, reach up, and touch a cloud. I thought if I was able to wave my hand through their bright, fluffy texture, I might learn something about clouds that no one else knew. I might learn a small secret of the universe, and perhaps this small secret would lead to a slightly bigger secret, and from there I’d continue to learn greater and greater secrets, until finally I’d attained the wisdom God was said to have. I imagined that wisdom had been scattered across the world in tiny, interlocking miracles, like the mythical trail of breadcrumbs that could show you the way back home if you got lost.

One day, when I was around thirteen years old, I walked right to the edge of Lake Superior and looked across the water. I thought light, airy thoughts. I lifted my foot and almost, almost set it down. I kept the sole of my shoe hovering above the lake until I felt as light as possible, every molecule of my body straining to fly. This would be it. I would walk across the waves. I would finally touch a cloud.

I set my foot down.

The water gave immediately, and my foot sank below the water.

I swore and pulled my foot out. I decided not to go to church with my mother anymore. I was tired of fairy tales.

I wanted to grow up already.

10 comments:

Kelly Coyle said...

I can't take credit for the picture, though. Michelle took it.

Something dirty said...

Very nice.

David Oppegaard said...

thanks, Michelle!

David Oppegaard said...

Everyone should go to the huge used bookstore in downtown Duluth. It is like getting lost in a wonderland of dusty books. What's it called Kelly? Does it still exist? One time I went with my parents to Duluth; they all went skiing and, since I was recovering from appendix removal,I walked from our hotel and rifled through the bookstore for about eight hours. Sweet.

Kelly Coyle said...

It does. I haven't been there too often, though -- not at all since we moved here. (Funny.) I don't remember what it is called.

Michelle said...

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but I like the words you draw out of the picture.

The bookstore has a sign on it that reads, 'Duluth's best tourist attraction.'

Amethyst Vineyard said...

Mama like.

David Oppegaard said...

Thanks, Michelle & Viney. Why is it gray again today? How many days in a row? It's like Seattle around here but less "progressive".

Michelle said...

The gray is my topic for today.

David Oppegaard said...

The gray is the topic, also, for the whole history of Russian literature. What beautiful madmen...

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