to their homes a lot. Moving back here was definitely the right thing to do.”
I’d missed the support of the family over the years, especially when Alan left me. I loved Chicago, but Quincy was still home. Besides the sibs and their spouses and kids, there were myriad aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sometimes they got on my nerves, but it was neat to be a member of this club. Even though the membership list was so long it appeared that anyone could be a member.
I also told Clancy about the “John Doe” from the ER. “What do you think is going on with him? What possible reason could he have had for threatening people like that? Did I tell you that he said other doctors might die like Burns?” She pondered that one for a bit. “Hell, why am I so worried about him? It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.”
Clancy gave me her “hey, stupid” look.
“Okay, he did threaten other doctors. Maybe I will see him again. Wonder if he had anything to do with Burns’ death?”
Her eyebrows raised as she thought about that notion.
“Nah, Clance, he didn’t feel guilty to me. He just felt ill. There’s a difference.”
And why did Michael O’Dear’s face keep popping up in my mind? The last question I didn’t verbalize. I didn’t want Clancy to hear me thinking so much about a man; she might lose respect for me.
I chuckled as I realized that all of these questions made my life sound like a commercial for a soap opera. But, anyway, I found myself looking forward to seeing O’Dear again a lot more than I wanted to admit. Clancy scooted out of my way as I tripped on a curb. I caught myself before I landed face down in the snow. “Guess I’m a little preoccupied.”
I swear she chuckled too.
We finished our walk at a brisk pace. After returning home, I got Clancy her food and water, showered and got ready for my first real day in the office. I didn’t have much time to learn about my job or do any work yesterday since Dr. Burns’ murder overshadowed my appearance as the new kid on the block. I’d spent most of yesterday sitting in my new office with my ear to the door.
Today I would settle in. I filled my briefcase with framed pictures of the kids, my license to practice as a clinical social worker in the state of Illinois, and a small plaque painted by a friend that said, “God has entrusted us to each other.” Those would fill my desk until I messed it up with files and books.
I also put a few boxes of books by the front door, ready to go into my car. Those would fit nicely into the built-in bookcases in my office. I was excited about going to work, although I was bummed about my boss being dead. Since I had a choice, I decided to go with the excitement rather than dwell on the sad stuff.
Everything was ready but my all-important outfit. After I poured a cup of coffee, I wandered into my walk-in closet. Actually, it was a climb-in closet. It was piled almost to the ceiling with “stuff,” things I’d been promising myself I’d put away as soon as I had time. I moved aside the Scrabble game and old Rolling Stone magazines and took out my good suit. It had seen me through a lot of tough times, but I wore it the other day for my interview. Would the other staff members recognize it? Would it matter if they did? Didn’t I have anything better to obsess about?
I wore the suit.
I said good-bye to Clancy and left home feeling a bit ambivalent. On one hand, I had optimism and hope in my heart for my newly organized future. On the other hand, I was saddened about Burns’ demise. It was difficult sorting out the emotions.
Because of all my paraphernalia I decided to drive to work again. The trip was a short one, and I arrived around eight, a full hour before I was required to be there. I describe myself as an on-time employee. My family would call it compulsive behavior.
Schnitzer hadn’t given me a key yet, but I had a feeling Gwen Schneider would be there early and would let me in.
The first part was
I’d missed the support of the family over the years, especially when Alan left me. I loved Chicago, but Quincy was still home. Besides the sibs and their spouses and kids, there were myriad aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sometimes they got on my nerves, but it was neat to be a member of this club. Even though the membership list was so long it appeared that anyone could be a member.
I also told Clancy about the “John Doe” from the ER. “What do you think is going on with him? What possible reason could he have had for threatening people like that? Did I tell you that he said other doctors might die like Burns?” She pondered that one for a bit. “Hell, why am I so worried about him? It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.”
Clancy gave me her “hey, stupid” look.
“Okay, he did threaten other doctors. Maybe I will see him again. Wonder if he had anything to do with Burns’ death?”
Her eyebrows raised as she thought about that notion.
“Nah, Clance, he didn’t feel guilty to me. He just felt ill. There’s a difference.”
And why did Michael O’Dear’s face keep popping up in my mind? The last question I didn’t verbalize. I didn’t want Clancy to hear me thinking so much about a man; she might lose respect for me.
I chuckled as I realized that all of these questions made my life sound like a commercial for a soap opera. But, anyway, I found myself looking forward to seeing O’Dear again a lot more than I wanted to admit. Clancy scooted out of my way as I tripped on a curb. I caught myself before I landed face down in the snow. “Guess I’m a little preoccupied.”
I swear she chuckled too.
We finished our walk at a brisk pace. After returning home, I got Clancy her food and water, showered and got ready for my first real day in the office. I didn’t have much time to learn about my job or do any work yesterday since Dr. Burns’ murder overshadowed my appearance as the new kid on the block. I’d spent most of yesterday sitting in my new office with my ear to the door.
Today I would settle in. I filled my briefcase with framed pictures of the kids, my license to practice as a clinical social worker in the state of Illinois, and a small plaque painted by a friend that said, “God has entrusted us to each other.” Those would fill my desk until I messed it up with files and books.
I also put a few boxes of books by the front door, ready to go into my car. Those would fit nicely into the built-in bookcases in my office. I was excited about going to work, although I was bummed about my boss being dead. Since I had a choice, I decided to go with the excitement rather than dwell on the sad stuff.
Everything was ready but my all-important outfit. After I poured a cup of coffee, I wandered into my walk-in closet. Actually, it was a climb-in closet. It was piled almost to the ceiling with “stuff,” things I’d been promising myself I’d put away as soon as I had time. I moved aside the Scrabble game and old Rolling Stone magazines and took out my good suit. It had seen me through a lot of tough times, but I wore it the other day for my interview. Would the other staff members recognize it? Would it matter if they did? Didn’t I have anything better to obsess about?
I wore the suit.
I said good-bye to Clancy and left home feeling a bit ambivalent. On one hand, I had optimism and hope in my heart for my newly organized future. On the other hand, I was saddened about Burns’ demise. It was difficult sorting out the emotions.
Because of all my paraphernalia I decided to drive to work again. The trip was a short one, and I arrived around eight, a full hour before I was required to be there. I describe myself as an on-time employee. My family would call it compulsive behavior.
Schnitzer hadn’t given me a key yet, but I had a feeling Gwen Schneider would be there early and would let me in.
The first part was
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