Previous Challenge Entry (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Topic: Encouragement( 02/23/12)
TITLE:
Routine, Rut and Rescue | Writing Challenge By PamFord Davis 03/01/12 |
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10th Place
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<i>Can’t be time to get up already… If I skip breakfast, I can stay in bed a bit longer</i>.
“Peter, you awake? Breakfast is about ready.”
<i>So much for my idea</i>. “I’m up.” <i>Well, almost</i>. I manage to force myself to leave the quilt cocoon and place two reluctant feet on cold tile. Rubbing sleep from slit openings, I traverse the well-worn rut to the bathroom.
<i>Gotta’ shake this mood…Lots of people would love to be in my shoes</i>. Pulling aside the sliding glass door, I adjust the shower handle to the far left position before stepping aside to answer nature’s morning call. Casting off crumpled pajamas, I shuffle through billowing steam to the shower and add only enough cold water to avoid scalding before hoisting frigid feet over the tub to step inside.
I gradually allow rushing hot water to trickle down my buzz-cut onto tensed shoulders. Increasing water pressure with a flick of the wrist, I jump-start my body. I lather up and feel tight muscles loosen with firm circular hand motions. <i>If only I could learn to relax</i>…
I do a hyper-speed shave before brushing and flossing my choppers. Becky likes me with a close shave and dental disciplines guard against annoying plaque. Grabbing my <i>Brute</i> plastic container, I splash invigorating aftershave on my face before making a mad dash to finish dressing.
<i>Wonder if anyone would miss me if I played hooky from work</i>…I paste on a smile before entering the kitchen. Becky must not know how badly I need her encouragement. Creeping up behind her as she hovers over the sink, I plant a kiss on her alluring neck.
She shrieks, “Peter!”
“Sorry hon. Know you had an all-nighter with the baby.”
“I must be doing <i>something</i> wrong, expected colic for a few weeks but it’s been months.”
“Stop beating yourself up; you’re a great mom!”
I see a glimmer of hope in puffy eyes as she sets a cup of coffee by my bagel.
As playful mommy, she transforms into an airplane while spoon-feeding Pete his oatmeal. He opens his mouth on cue as if a hanger awaiting the next plane’s arrival.
<i>Does Becky know how much I lean on her? Does she sense my deepening depression</i>?
“Beck, I thought burnout was just a popular catch phrase. Boy was I <i>clueless</i>!”
“Maybe, you just need to take vacation a little early this year…”
“It wouldn’t change anything. I love my work. If I only had to please the top man, I could face it. It’s all the subordinates that keep me up tight.”
Becky’s baby blues pierce my soul as she calmly replies, “You know what you always tell me. <i>Stay focused</i>.”
I nod reluctantly, force down a few bites of the bagel, slurp coffee and glance at <i>FOX</i> headlines before heading to my nearby office. Traffic moves at a snail’s pace and my blood pressure soars as I inch my way to the well-groomed property. Upon arrival, I pull into my designated parking spot, one of the perks of the job that I take for granted.
“Morning Ms. Gray, any calls?”
She hands me several neatly recorded phone messages and peers above her bifocals. “<i>Don’t</i> forget the special meeting this evening at six.”
“Oh, that’s right; I’d better telephone Becky.”
I unlock the door to my adjoining private office, flick on the light switch, and toss my sports jacket across the back of the swivel chair. Sitting down, I instantaneously ease into my accustomed rocked back position. <i>Another late meeting</i>… The intercom rings. <i>No, not interruptions already</i>!
“Becky is on line one,” said my secretary.
“Good, was getting ready to call her.”
She understands my tight schedule. Busy is my middle name and it is six before I know it. I straighten my tie and march into the conference room to meet with faithful men and competent department heads. To my surprise, there is a jubilant atmosphere. “Evening, <i>Reverend</i>!” The chairman of the deacons passes me a crisp envelope containing weekend tickets for two at an exclusive resort.
“Tell Becky that my Mrs. will watch little Peter. We appreciate <i>all</i> that the both of you do!” I choke back tears as he asserts, “After all, <i>preachers are people too</i>!”
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