^^^
Have you ever had one of those days when everything went wrong? I guess we all have. I'm not bragging, but I think my recent span of 24 hours has been worse than any of yours. I'd put money on it! You be the judge and when you learn that I'm right, send me your money. Bitcoin preferred.
P.S. All characters having sex or who saw my penis are over 18. Harry
^^^Friday, March 31st^^^
"That's the last of it. The quarterly report is done," Warren said. The gray-haired, senior accountant saved the file on the computer. He pushed himself away from his desk, took off his thick glasses, and rubbed his tired blue eyes.
"Whew!" Harry exhaled. The thirty-three-year-old, civil servant brought his hand to his thinning hair and ran his fingers through the short, brown hair. "I'm glad that's done. My vacation begins now."
"So you're going to Florida?" the slim older man asked.
"Yes. My family has rented a house near Fort Myers. It has a private beach on the Gulf of Mexico. It's my Grandmother's ninetieth birthday on Saturday. She loves the sun and the beach."
"I guess that gene skipped you," the sixty-year-old man teased his younger, pale co-worker.
"Not really. My girlfriend hates all outdoor activities. Acquiescing to her wishes has given me this ghost-like appearance. It'll be great to be in sunny Florida. Everyone in the family will be there because my grandmother's health is dodgy and we're worried she won't see her next birthday."
"Uh-huh. So she was born on April Fools day? I bet that had to be fun."
"It earned her the named April, and she says no one has pulled off more practical jokes."
"Ha. I bet. Enjoy yourself, Harry."
"Thanks. I will. I'm taking Sue to meet the family."
"Oh?" Warren grunted.
"Yes. Things are getting serious."
"Good luck. I hope mom and dad approve."
"They're pushovers. They want grandkids and will embrace anyone who can pop out a baby. Selling Sue on my family is the chore."
Harry got up, picked up his leather briefcase, and left his boss' office. He looked at his watch. The time was 6:35 p.m. He said to himself as he walked to the parking garage, "That took longer than expected, but I'm okay for time. I'll go home, shower, and finish packing. Then, Sue and I are off to the airport."
He got into his car, inserted the key, and turned it. The car didn't roar to a start. Instead, he heard an anemic "Click. Click. . . . click."
"Oh, no. The battery's dead. I must've left the lights on. How am I going to get home?"
He got out of the car. The garage was empty. "Damn it! Everyone's gone home."
He looked East and West and saw no one. Then, he looked North. Over the short concrete wall of the parking garage, he saw a taxi parked on the street.
"Maybe my luck's changing."
He ran out to the yellow cab. The cabbie was leaning against a dented rear panel smoking an unfiltered cigarette. Harry said, "Are you in service? My car won't start and I really need a ride."
The cabbie said in a gravelly voice, "The cab is out of service because the AC ain't working."
"I don't mind. I have to get home. I have a flight to catch."
"It will be hot as blazes in there. I don't know if I can blame global warming, but today is unusually hot."
"It's a 20-minute drive. I'll pay double."
"All right. Get in," the driver said. He opened the door for Harry.
"Thanks," Harry said. He flashed a smile and slid into the backseat. He gave the driver the address. It was as hot as Hell in the cab. Both men were soon sweating. The trip went fine, at first. However, after they got off the highway, two turns later they hit a traffic jam.
"Sorry, bub. Nothing I can do. All I see is red tail lights."
Harry loosened his tie, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said, "This will do. I can walk the last six blocks."
Harry glanced at the meter, reached for his wallet, and gave the driver some cash and said, "Keep the change."
He grabbed his briefcase, got out of the overheated vehicle, and began walking at a fast pace to his apartment building. He was covered in sweat and his breathing was labored when he arrived at the ornate front door of his building.
He found a shady spot and set his case down on the sidewalk. He put his hands on his knees and sucked in large quantities of air. It took him a minute to compose himself. Once his heart rate and breathing slowed, he said, "Wow! I'm out of shape. I guess having a gym membership isn't enough. You have to actually go and workout."
He went inside and pushed the cracked call button for the elevator. The light didn't come on. He pushed it again. A voice behind him said, "The elevator isn't working." He turned and looked at a short, chubby woman and her cute, little dog. He said sarcastically, "Great! That's the way my day is going."
He went to the stairs and pulled the large metal door open. "After you," he said. The woman replied, "No. You go ahead. Pepper has trouble with steps."
Harry went through the door and held it for the dog and the owner. After they were in the stairwell, Harry climbed the stairs taking them two at a time. By the time he got to the third floor, he was advancing one step at a time. By the time he arrived on the fifth floor, he was pausing to catch his breath every tenth step.
"Mother fucker! What a day!" he cursed under his breath as he got his keys out to open the door to his apartment. He let himself in and headed straight to the galley kitchen. He called out, "Sue. Sue?" There was no response. He put his briefcase on the linoleum floor and said, "I guess my fiancΓ©e isn't here."
He opened the refrigerate and grabbed a Yuengling Lager. He twisted the top off and drank deeply. Three swigs drained the bottle. His overheated, dehydrated body required more fluids. He sat at the kitchen table and downed a second.
He burped and then said, "I'll get a shower, finish my packing, and, hopefully by then, she'll be home and we can go."
He went into the bathroom, disrobed, and threw his soiled clothes into the hamper. He had a nice long shower. He rid himself of the sweat and grime he'd accumulated that day and he took the opportunity to do some manscaping. Then, he dried himself, wrapped the towel around his waist, and thought, "I could use another beer."
He headed to his kitchen. His journey took him through the living room where he encountered an old lady. They both screamed, "Ahh!"
Harry recognized the woman as his neighbor, Mrs. MacGillis. She was gobsmacked. Her eyes took in his doughy, pale, half-naked body.
"Mrs. MacGillis! What are you doing here?" he said. He grabbed hold of the towel.
She said, "You told me you were going on vacation and asked me to feed your fish. You gave me a key."
"Yes. I said I was flying out tonight, Friday night. I asked you to come over starting Saturday."
"Oh. Sorry. My mind and memory aren't what they used to be."