Self DoubtRunner-Up in Return of the Night Owl Challenge
It was Friday at 2:45 PM when I walked in right on time. Another weekend of working evenings responding to codes, calls, and questions. I settled in at the reception desk comforted in knowing my son was with his father, driving out of the city towards the bright green country hills and going to be doing what they both loved to do, fish. I removed my book and thermos of hot tea from my backpack placing them on the left side of the console. As I sat back in my chair I took a slow deep breath, held it in for three seconds, and then released it slowly along with all the stress I had accumulated over the last five days. Only after this ritual would I be able to enjoy the short intervals of time over the next three evenings, if only to read just a few more pages of my book.