An Adequate Man by Michael Carr (books to read for 12 year olds TXT) 📖

than was necessary.

An old woman who spoke with a croak occupied the other line. She informed me that Dr. Samilafed was not available, due to the fact that he was out golfing, and that she had unfortunate news. Apparently, I had a sort of large tumor resting on the right side of brain that, according to her own diagnosis, was "pretty serious".

She then told me that I would need to come in for another series of tests. It would have to wait until tomorrow however, since the doctor was quite serious about his golf games and wouldn't appreciate being disturbed in the middle of one.

I thanked her and hung up the phone.

I sat staring across my desk at the small, tattered poster of a cat hanging by a clothesline. The words "Hang in There!" stood out in bright red letters. I sat there for some time.

Then I realized that Bob was still talking, though this time he was back to his first daughter, Alice, and how wonderful her performance in the play would be. I cut him off, saying that I couldn't care less about his daughter's performance and that a fucking monkey could play the lead role in a kindergarten play.

I think I offended him.

***

I left for work early. The first time in six years. I left during the lunch break and didn't come back. I decided I'd get a bite to eat at the deli across the street and then walk to the park.

The line at the deli was long. While waiting, my mind drifted to my old record collection, the one I may or may not have thrown away and may or may not be in the attic. I briefly scanned through my old collection of songs and selected a song by the Beatles which I hummed aloud, despite the stares I received from the customers around me.

When the teenage employee with a heavy case of acne and no gloves on asked the man in front of me what kind of meat he wanted on his sandwich, the man replied 'none', due to the fact that he was a vegetarian.

This struck me as hilarious and I laughed for quite some time.

When I noticed that everyone was staring at me, I decided to leave.

***

As I made my way to the park I noticed the same legless veteran lying beside a brick wall, his crudely created sign still held firmly in hand. He glanced at me as I approached and asked if I had any spare change.

I dug through my pockets and found none.

So I gave him a twenty from my wallet.

***

I sat on a metal park bench, warm from the sun's rays, and watched as a group of joggers passed by, the cords of their i-pods bouncing with each stride. I sat back and sighed.

A pack of birds arose from a nearby tree, taking to the skies. I watched as they crossed in patterns, following one another, free minded individuals that on some psychological level knew that the only way to survive was to stay together, never breaking off from the pack.

I looked away, staring up into the sky. Bright rays of light broke through the clouds with spirals of color dancing in the distance.

They looked so beautiful.

I pulled out my phone and called home. Sarah answered on the third ring. I told her that I was coming home early and that we should all go out and rent a movie to watch with the kids. I told her I was fine, that I just felt a bit tired. I told her that I loved her.

I meant it.

***

I'm lying in bed. Sarah lies beside me, her hand across my chest, her golden hair spilling over my shoulder. Everything is quiet.

Sam is asleep, his honorable mention ribbon tacked to the wall above his head. Rachel lies buried under her Blues Clues blanket, dreaming. Everything is quiet.

The lights are off but I can still see. Soft moonlight spills through the open curtains. Pictures of my family and friends lay framed and placed across the dressers and nightstand. I smile. I wrap my arms around my wife and kiss her cheek. I'll tell her soon.

We'll take the kids to the mall tomorrow. Buy them ice cream.

Tomorrow will be better. I know it. Imprint

Publication Date: 09-30-2009

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