Tuesday. It’s late. It’s been a long day. I glance at my smart watch, 4,500 steps, well short of 10,000 target. Should have walked across town and taken the train. No you shouldn’t have. Air is heavy. Feels like mid-August. My head swims from the second glass of red wine. I walk half way up the block and back, while I wait. 4,935 steps. Well that’s Something.
I’m in back seat of car. Phone rings. Work. The call carries on. Something is off. Antennae go up. I can feel him. Driver is listening. I’m conscious of my words. I shift to deeper code, quickly end the call, and set the phone in my bag. I sit quietly. Irritated. No privacy anywhere. Rude.
It’s silent in the cabin, air blows cool. Tension seems to rise a few clicks in the silence. You’re just tired. It’s all in your head Pal.
He breaks the silence.
“Sir, what is it that you do?” I’m wary about my response, but I respond, and at 100,000 feet. He’s not getting anything out of me.
“How long have you been doing it?” I respond curtly.
“That’s a long time.” At this point, I feel I need to take control of the conversation. “Why do you ask?” [Read more…]
