The Worrier

Short Story Day 66 of 365

Illustration by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay

Roland lay motionless on his bed. The fan was spinning overhead and the white-noise machine was on low. The constant low resonant wop wop wop of the fan just added to his tensions.

Tomorrow Roland would be presenting on a live video call with at least 30 people on the call. He was informed that at least four executives would also be on the call. The problem wasn’t the presentation because he was more than prepared for that.

No, the problem were the 20 other things twirling around his head as he lay there, much like the fan overhead.

Wonder what kinds of questions those C-suite people will ask? Where will Sophie end up in college? Do we really have to go visit all the schools she’s been invited to? How far will Skeet go with his girlfriend? Hope they’re not thinking of marriage; they’re only 17. Will Joanie get that job at the law firm? Imagine, my Joanie an executive assistant to a bunch of big shot lawyers. Woo hoo. Why is this president trying to tank the economy? Why aren’t they lowering the oil prices to make it easy on us little guys.

Oh, that’s right, the presentation. Focus, Ro, focus. Don’t worry though. Worrying’s not gonna help. Who cares if they’re C-suite execs? Not me. They put their pants on one leg at a time…just like me. What does Skeet see in that girl? She’s kinda nerdy. Cute but nerdy. Seems to enjoy being around him. Different strokes for different folks. Be nice if Soph got a full ride at one of those colleges. My luck, she’ll choose the only college that won’t pay her full bill. Oh oh oh, forgot the year on year stats for the deck. Note to self, put that slide back in the deck. Could I make it as an exec? Naa, I don’t even know anything about managing people let alone a company. 

Must get sleep. Full ride. Must get sleep. More taxes. Must get s…

“Roland, Roland,” Joanie said, shaking her husband. “You’ve got an hour before your video call. Up and at ‘em. Breakfast is almost ready.”