What Goes Unnoticed

Written by Marisella Rodriguez

Being an avid reader, I have the ability to escape my surroundings and emotions a few sentences into any story. Yet the best stories provide a distinct moment of clarity for each reader. This epiphany leaves the reader long after the book is done; it is a thought that can scratch at your brain or soothe your intellect.
In Matthew Dicks’ 2009 novel, Something Missing, professional thief Martin Railsback Jr. steals only what goes unnoticed from his “clients.” From laundry detergent to diamond earrings, Railsback spends years getting to personally know each client before stealing neglected items. With strict guidelines on conduct and daily lifestyle, Railsback grows to be an anti-social young man in order to preserve his career. Yet after a spontaneous situation leads him to emotionally contribute to clients’ lives for the better, he begins to acknowledge what is missing from his own life.
What draws me to this book is the idea that there are items in my home that would easily go unnoticed if taken. After much thought, I have come to the simple conclusion that I need to stop buying things I will never use. This understanding has no ties with being wasteful or a smart shopper, but the inability to enjoy the things I work hard to purchase.
Right around the time Railsback began to notice intangible things missing from his life, I did as well. Friends, family and laughter can sometimes fall to the wayside as daily responsibilities demand full attention. While I have yet to find a cure for this lifestyle, the best I can do to alleviate symptoms is maintain a balance. Much easier said than done, a balance of responsibilities and youthful actions can help fight all consuming adulthood.
Marisella Rodriguez is attempting to read one book a week throughout summer.