004 – One of those Days

It’s one of those days.  I’m up at six A.M. and out in my car in the fifteen-degree morning and at exercise class by seven.  The heat in the studio didn’t work.  I could see my breath indoors.  The instructor’s nipples were firmly pressing against her tee shirt for the entire hour.  Not that I noticed.  I was in the office with a bagel and juice by nine.  The phone rang.  And rang.  And didn’t stop ringing until five in the afternoon when I forwarded my calls to the answering service.  That kind of day, when the phone is never out of my ear and I never leave my chair except to visit the men’s room.  People come in to visit without appointments.  Old clients.  New clients.  I sense the business is booming.  Not that I’m making money, thank you, just that business is booming.  I put people off.  I don’t take their calls.  Prisoners call collect to talk about anything with someone outside.  Stockbrokers.  Relatives.  Friends.  Old clients.  Claim adjusters.  I tell Katrina to say I’m out of the office.  “I hate lying,” she says, “I’m going to go to hell for this Todd.  I want a raise.”   I beg people to call me later in the week.  “I don’t want to blow you off, Charlie, but I’m having one of those Mondays.  You’ll call back mid week, okay?  Promise?  Take care.”  I triaged my calls.  I attended only to potential new clients.  There are a dozen new client calls if there are any.  Katrina brings in the mail she’s opened by ten a.m.  I never finish reading it before leaving at nine that night.  I see my son in his bed being read to by his loyal lovely mother just as his eyes closed.  These are the bread and butter days.  I don’t really mind them, except when they preclude my other pleasures and endeavors.  Most of all I remember perking up when I hear it is Yvonne calling. I can smell her too, “Please, Mr. Lawyerman.  I been busted.  Please come get me out of here.”