Love Lost

Today all hope of love is lost.

Nearly three months ago my roommate, Janell, was given a beta fish as a gift from a bride. The bride said that this fish was a symbol of hope for love. When the bride was single and new to the city she bought a beta fish. She had an understanding with God that the beta fish would live until she met her future husband. The day she met her now husband the fish died.

We named the crimson fish Mawiage. His name was in honor of the movie, "The Princess Bride." That's the ultimate story of love against all odds. And who doesn't love a priest with a speech impediment? Mawiage graced our kitchen table and often kept me company during breakfast. He quickly became an endearing joke to us and our friends.

Sadly Mawiage died today. After a run in Lincoln Park we came home to discover him laying on the rocks in his clear bowl. We all couldn't help mourning his death but we were probably mourning the loss of our hope for great love even more.

Mawiage is now swimming in beta fish heaven, more commonly known as the Chicago sewage system. After a few prayers for hope we flushed him down the toilet. Now I have a fear that when I go to the bathroom he'll suddenly come back. I think I'll use Jessie's bathroom for a while.