[Adverse]

The Cliché
I remember getting my first internship downtown on Hampton
The roof nestled against the clouds, a behemoth of an establishment
Standing at the front desk, poised at the entrance of the palace
The same station I had my first encounter with Mr. Braxton
The owner of the company, white suit shined like a beacon from heaven
A smile hellbent on showing each of the pearly teeth that he was blessed with
"Sam, I presume" his facial expression looked rather amused..
After he unclasped from my shaky grasp, he patted the back of my suit
"Lighten up there, chap, i'm only a man just like you"
No more panic ensued, I relaxed for a few...
I remember getting home to that one bedroom apartment
Feeling like my whole world had expanded infinitely, like life had restarted
That day I must have left a great, first impression..
One night, Mr. Braxton invited me and my family to supper at his residence
After pleasantries and a three course meal, we stepped outside for awhile
I turned to my wife with our son in her lap, looking tired, I smiled
My 5 year old resting his eyes, being warmed by the evening sun...
My wife, glasses on, book in the other hand, reading some
As I stood there, admiring the view, only a few drops of wine in my glass
Braxton broke the silence, "That's a beautiful family you have"
"Thank you Mr. Braxton, they mean the world to me.."
"You don't get it Sam, you're the richest man in the WORLD to me."
I was taken back by the statement and laughed at the irony.
He said "I may have money, but there's a thing I couldn't pay to see"
I was puzzled, but before I could ask a a follow-up question
He let out a hefty yawn, chuckled and thanked us for our presence
I went on working at the corporation for a couple months, see
But was offered a higher position with another company
When I got home one night, In the mailbox sat a solitary letter...
Upon further inspection it listed 'MB' as the sender
Opened it carefully, holding the peace of the memento
Perched my glasses on my nose, started reading the intro...
"Dear Sam, The doctors say that I don't have too much time left
So i've been trying to make things right before my dying breaths
Let me clear some things up, i've met many rich people in my time
But most started and ended with money, you have value of many kinds
You're rich in passion, humility, kindness, things no one's ever branded me
Your wealth exceeds your net worth, you have a lovely family...
You're abundant with happiness, I hope you understand, you see
There's things money could never buy, that's why you're the richest man to me
That night I wanted to tell you Sam, the thing I couldn't see
Didn't matter if I was worth my weight in gold, it could never be
I had all the money in the world, but then my wife became diseased...
No matter how much I paid for her procedures, she never felt relieved
She passed on June 2nd, of 1993...
....And that's what I didn't tell you, I hope you see it now my friend
I just hope death could grant me something money couldn't...A chance to be with her again..."