My boss is getting ready for vacation and, as always, when one works in a law firm, preparing for vacation is sheer mayhem.
Arnie had a mediation hearing yesterday morning and was gone longer than anticipated. When he returned, he walked in, disheveled and weary, carrying his overstuffed briefcase like it was a bag of bowling balls.
"How'd it go?" I said, catching sight of the few hairs he has left, sticking up in various directions, as he dodged into his office.
"Just as suspected," he called back. "Not good."
"I'm sorry," I said, and got up to listen to the story. Arnie always likes to relay his tales of woe and victory in the court room and so, I try to accommodate and go in and listen when it seems he wants to talk. I stood beside his desk, hands clasped, nodding and interjecting when he stopped to take a breath. When he was finished, he sat down and I returned to my own office until I heard a panicked yelp from the other room.
"Oh dear God, what is this? We have a Brief due on July 16?" (Arnie had asked me to sum up all of his diaried reminders and due dates that are scheduled while he will be away and to put it on his desk).
"No, we don't have a Brief due on July 16. It's due on July 23. The reminder in the book is that we have to start it on July 16." I got up and returned to his office where he was loosening his tie.
"You almost killed me."
"I do what I can to keep you healthy, Arnie. That probably cleared every ounce of plaque out of your arteries. You should be thanking me for that adrenalin rush."
"Thanks," he said weakly as I returned once again to my office.
Copyright 2008 liamsgrandma
