The Cost of a Fish -- Short Story

The Cost of a Fish

It was a much simpler time. It was during a time when good folk dreamed of white picket fences and freshly made pies cooling on the window sill. Life had its small responsibilities, yet, they never got in the way of treasuring its happy moments.

On a street lined with medium sized houses and golden retrievers, lived two best friends. A curly-haired boy named Max and his best friend, the amber-eyed Rob. Inseparable since birth, each had done their share of mischievous plots common to boys their age. Despite the childish antics, an unbreakable bond of trust had formed between the two.

Although being only eight years old, the unwavering confidence placed into each other was remarkable. Max knew that no matter how dire the situation, Rob would be there for him. Equally so, Rob knew to count on Max in his time of need.

For example, should Max declare that he wanted to go biking; Rob would quickly grab his helmet and meet him in the park. Similarly, if Rob said that he wanted to play marbles, Max would draw a wide circle in the sand. It was not a question of whether or not either enjoyed the activities. Being a good friend meant hanging out together, even if you weren’t fond of biking or marbles.

This system had worked fairly well, until one day; Max decided that he liked fish. In fact, he liked fish so much he was going to buy one as a pet. Becoming quite knowledgeable about the different species, Max shared all what he learned with Rob. Rob was grateful for the tidbits of info on fish, yet was largely indifferent to them. Still, as long as his friend was happy, so was he. The problem was, however, that neither had enough money to buy one. That is when their  troubles began.

To help pay for the fish, Rob agreed to help Max save their dimes. It was to originally be a long day spent at the batting cages. Instead, the two friends spent a long day scouring for spare change in their homes.

After several hours of rummaging through old coats and sofa cushions, they took a break. Finding one hundred pennies, two quarters and a handful of nickels, or about $1.65, was the reward for their grueling five hour effort.

Max, ever the optimist, announced; “Now we only need $9.35 more to go!” Smiling from ear to ear, he looked ready to go another round. But, their mothers were calling them for dinner. Rob was less enthusiastic over their efforts. He would’ve rather gone outside to play instead of being cooped up looking for money. Still, he was glad to have helped. Besides, as long as his friend was smiling he wasn’t about to complain.

Their little block awoke to a picturesque summers day morning, complete with a perfect breeze. It was prime weather for climbing trees. A particularly old oak tree, warned by adults as being dangerous to climb would be the perfect candidate for such a day. Rob, excited as could be, sprinted across the street to invite Max.

To his surprise, Max was nowhere to be found. Worried, Rob asked Max’s mother where he could be.

“Mrs. O’Connell, where is Max? Is he sick?” he Rob. That could be the only logical reason why Max wasn’t home.

Max’s mother assured him that he was fine. In fact, Max had left for Main St. to shine shoes for the gentlemen entering the county courthouse. Shoe shiners could earn a pretty penny if they were quick enough. Those wages would go towards buying his pet fish.

Rob slightly disappointed, debated his next move. The warm breeze was enticing, a perfect day to spend climbing all the trees he desired. But, Max wouldn’t be there. And everyone knows it’s no fun to climb alone.

No, the choice was clear. Max needed him. Thanking Mrs. O’Connell, Rob hurriedly grabbed a shoebox, a brush and some polish and then ran towards Main St. Racing past the fire station, the park gazebo and the general store Rob was on a mission. He was coming to his friend’s financial rescue. 

Finally, he reached the courthouse, out of breathe and slightly sore.

There was Max. Clad in overalls, bent down at the footsteps of city hall. Covered head to toe in brownish-black shoe polish. A long line of well dressed gentlemen stood by, impatient for their turn. It was clear that Max would not be able to handle all rush hour customers by himself. Max looked up and was amazed to see Rob there to help him, shoe-shining supplies in hand. With a beaming smile, he waved him through the crowd, grateful for the extra help.  Immediately, Rob set up shop and attended to the overflow of customers. 

The earnings weren’t bad that day, a combined total of $4.50.Max took all the earnings, which was fine with Rob. Rob just hoped that soon they’d get to do something more fun than shining shoes.

Counting on his fingers, Rob calculated that they had $4.85 more to go. Hmmm...$10 was mighty expensive for a measly fish. After all, you could get a little goldfish at the carnival for a quarter. Was Max going to buy a fleet of goldfishes? That seemed extreme, even for Max. ‘No, that can’t be it, wondered Rob, ‘He probably wants a real exotic one.’ Max never did like the cheap stuff.

As the two made their way back to their little houses, the two friends talked at length. Max thanked Rob for his help; he was thrilled with the progress they made that day. ‘What other ways could they make more money?’ said Max. Rob was gracious, and didn’t mind helping. In the back of his mind, he had a strange feeling that his best friend was changing.

Max kept speaking on and on about strange things. Things like, inventions he’d make and sell. Imaginary businesses, high return investments and such. Rob was taken aback at how detailed his plans were. When Rob spoke, he was usually pretending to be a pirate. Or sometimes he was a cowboy. Once, he was a circus conductor in his imaginary big top taming lions who breathed fire. Rob wondered if he’d ever spend time with Max like the ‘good old days’.

The next few days were unbearable to Rob. Secretly he hoped Max had forgotten all about fish and money. He wanted to play and have fun, like they had done in the summers before. Sadly, it was not to be. Max had not forgotten about the fish. No, in fact, he had devised more ways to earn money. Rob’s eyes widened when Max said they must ‘increase their revenues.’  Rob didn’t know what revenue meant. He got the impression though, that it meant a decrease in his playtime.

Max was carrying a large stack of newspapers, of which he divided in half. One stack went to Rob who was to sell them on the west side of the street corner. While Max, would sell his half on the east side of the street corner.

 “That way, “Max explained,” we will reach both incoming and outgoing potential customers.”

Limping walking to his assigned corner, Rob wished that Max hadn’t put them so far away from each other.  If they sold right next to each other they could at least play catch among their paper piles. That idea was quickly tossed aside as Max said they wouldn’t make good money that way. Yet again, another perfectly decent play day was ruined.

Passerby’s noticed the two strange newspaper boys at opposite ends of the street. At the east end, was a very gregarious and charismatic little boy. He’d stare at onlookers square in the eye, confidently announcing the paper’s headlines. In contrast, the little boy at the west end was a very quiet one. His eyes quizzically observed his surroundings, while he folded lots of paper airplanes. Sometimes to the customer’s astonishment, the newspaper they had purchased was folded into 10 separate paper planes.

The entire week was spent working on various odd jobs booked by Max. There was the fence painting, the lemonade stand, and then helping Mr. Grundy with his fruit stand. It was endless! Max could do the work on his own, but to really succeed he needed Rob as an extra pair of hands. Rob was beginning to grow tired of this. Hadn’t they already earned enough money to buy that stupid fish? Finally, after wasting weeks that should’ve been spent playing, things could go back to normal.

Resentment was starting to brew in their tiny child hearts. To top it off, Rob was really beginning to dislike fish. Especially, since Max hadn’t actually bought one yet, although having the funds to do so. ‘Apparently the more exotic and pricier fishes sold at the pet store aren’t good enough for him,’ grumbled Rob.

Summer days were becoming few as the new school year approached. Rob dreaded the idea of being chained to a classroom for hours. Feeling out of place among his classmates was his biggest gripe about school.  Max though, couldn’t wait for school to begin. Being very extroverted, he looked forward to meeting new peers. Maybe they could become potential customers.

One hot August day, the two friends decided to go out by the pond and skip rocks. With the return to school looming over them, many of their days were overshadowed by school preparations. Much to their annoyance, their mothers had insisted on buying them new uniforms, so they spend hours trying on stuffy sweater vests. Not a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

“Look I skipped 4 times, ha I beat you!” Max was feeling particular competitive. Rob, normally good natured, felt a little slighted by Max’s taunt. Max was normally very sporting. Yet, there was no ignoring the budding arrogance rising in his voice.

Rob ignored his comment. However, Max didn’t get the hint.

“You lose! You lose! You’re a Loser!” He repeated over and over.

Angered, Rob lashed back . “Fine, I’m a loser.” “Now, you’re one too. ‘Cause we’re not friends anymore.”

 “Aw, don’t be sore Rob. Here I’ll buy us some milkshakes.” Taking out a small wallet, he grabbed a few bills from a thickly stack. Waving the crisp bills in Rob’s face in the ultimate condescension, Rob was shocked at how haughty his best friend had become.

Seeing that stack of unspent bills was a low blow. Rob had voluntarily given up his free time to earn money for Max’s fish. It was to be a means to an end. Instead of the end being a pet fish, their friendship had ended. Max had become greedy, mean and a bully of a boy. Rob added money to his list of hated things, it topped fish by several spaces.

“Why haven’t you bought your pet fish yet?” Rob’s voice was getting loud.

Nonchalantly, he replied. “Because, I’m holding out for a better one. I’ll take on some more jobs and then I’ll buy one that’s really expensive and special.”

“It won’t be good enough for you. You’ll keep on working and it still won’t be good enough. You’re not happy now, you’re never going to be. No matter how many dollar bills you stuff into that wallet.” 

Rob’s voice was flat and even, but, there was not denying the hurt in his voice.

Max was startled at Rob’s words. Why was Rob being so unsupportive of his new career?

“Wake up Rob, the world is changing. Whoever earns the most amount of money gets respect. That’s just how it is. Don’t get mad at me for that, Rob.” he was insistent.

“Rich men have no friends! Rich men don’t smile because they know they are loved for their money not for who they are!”Rob was screaming.

Rob took a shiny quarter from the pocket of his jeans, it was his weekly allowance. Staring at it with a look of disgust, disappointment and sadness in his eyes, he then handed it over to Max.

“Here take it. That’s all you wanted me for anyway, right?  That way you can be closer to getting your dreams.”

Speechless Max held the coin in his hands, watching as his once best friend walked slowly back home with his head held low. Max no longer had a best friend anymore. It was just him. And his dollar bills.

School started the next day, both boys rose, dressed and ate before heading out the door. As they walked out from their porches, they could see each other from across the street. Max’s face was hopeful upon seeing Rob, but Rob cast his eyes downward and ignored him.

As luck would have it, their desks were assigned right next to each other. That didn’t encourage conversation between the two boys. When a math pop quiz was suddenly announced, Rob groaned. In the previous years, Max would spend hours tutoring Rob on his worst subject. Needless to say, Rob failed the test.

Art period came and Rob brightened up. He was very skilled at subtly blending colors together to create artwork that was on par with older students. At times, teachers would request his work to give to others. He received a perfect grade that day. Max had always struggled with art, and without Rob to remind him to plan his palate, his project was a muddy colored mess.

As the school day progressed, Max eagerly sought the company of his fellow students. They were nice enough kids, he played catch with a few more boys his age. Rob stood in the corner with his sketchbook casually capturing a few doodles of the school yard. The solitude allowed him progress farther in his skills.

Although still ignoring each other, the void left behind started to make itself known. Max convinced a few boys to help him with some new ventures. Some would help him now and then, but, they’d leave as soon as they were paid their wages. Swell enough to be around, yet did not understand him the way his ex best friend did.

Rob began to miss showing his artwork and poetry to Max. Showing it to the milkman, the mailman and his mother didn’t produce the same admiration than that of Max.

One Saturday morning, Rob was tasked with hanging up the wet linen sheets by his mother. As he attached clothespins to the first sheet, a dark shadow appeared behind the whiteness.  It was Max.

His arms were behind him, carrying some strange object. He hobbled forward, his face unsure, his foot twitching with nervousness.

“Hi, Rob. Say… I don’t see you ‘round anymore.”

“Hey Max. No, guess not.”

After a few moments of awkward silence, Max suddenly blurted out.

“I bought the fish today. You remember, the one I had been talking about?”

“You mean the one you ruined our friendship for?” replied Rob bluntly.

“Yes, that’s the one.” His voice was sheepish. His eyes cast down wards, still grappling the object behind him he took a strong step forward. Kneeling down, he placed the object gently on the ground near the feet of Rob.

It was a round glass bowl, inside was a bright blue fish swimming around in circles. 

“I get the point, now. Living for what you can buy won’t take me far. So, with that being said,

I want you to have Ronnie.” pointing to the happy guppy in the bowl.

Rob’s face had softened. Apologizing for his outburst earlier, he complimented his friends money making abilities. He admitted that he was never good with change but, he’s seen now that the future is always changing.

It was a beautiful autumn day, rife with chirping grasshoppers. The two friends spent the afternoon trying to catch them in jars, enjoying the company. A new maturity had emerged from the two. A new holiday was formed from that day, where each would purchase a guppy fish for the other. The small reminder of what is really important in life.

As they grew up, the world around them changed dramatically. Segregation was declared immoral. Then came a space program, soon after, a cold war. Economic booms and depressions. Values both changed and eroded.

Yet despite the chaos, Rob and Max kept a very level head through their senior years. As they gently lost touch to form their own families, they never forgot about the cost of a fish.