Ottawa,
Canada,
7:36 am.
The raindrops are all I can think about. They are all I want to think about. I think about how quickly they fall knowing well they're about to hit the ground. Or maybe they don't know . Or maybe, they just can't seem to help it.
The soft jazz music is insignificant at this point. The light pitter -patters of the raindrops become even lighter as they hit the car's tinted windows and the sound of the car's air conditioning becomes mild breathing ; allowing me to hear David, our family doctor, as he tells me without a pause, that there is a possibility, I might lose my life.
The dark interior of the limousine does little to lighten the back bending weight that his penetrating words carry . Not that I purchased this car for anything but luxury and comfort, but I expected some additional features considering its more than additional price.
"Come in for your check-up on Tuesday and we can discuss your current health situation. I don't think it's something that can be discussed over the phone.", David says, with the calmness that can only be acquired by someone who has spent several years in his line of work.
"Tuesday doesn't work for me. I have a conference that day and the whole of this week is fully booked as well.", I mumble, mentally preparing myself for the earful that would leave my ears ringing for days.
"Mr. Southgate, with all due respect, I have to say that you seem to value your work more than you value your life! You've become a slave to your practice and your health is suffering for it! Your blood pressure is skyrocketing, caffeine runs through your veins and your migraines have become as natural to you as blinking! Jacob, you're going to die if this persists. I owe it to your father to see to it that you do not die a premature death but there is only so much I can do when the one who owns this life does not seem to share my views on preserving it.", David says, sighing, no doubt pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose, a habit he is fond of in frustrating situations.
Speaking of dad, I do need to speak to him soon. I cancelled our soccer game without calling first.
He'd probably have my head.
"All I am asking Jacob, is that you take a break. What good is all this work when you're only suffering? Please, do it for the business you've sacrificed so much for if not for anything or for anyone else". With those words, the line goes dead and so does any motivation I might have had for work today.
I had been too distracted by the phone call to notice that the light pitter-patter had been replaced with the heavy thudding of rock-like raindrops hitting the roof of the car and it became hard to hear myself think and even harder to stop myself from confirming if it had begun hailing.
My legs become noodles as the long car ride drags on and I start to wonder the last time I took a walk. A walk that wasn't on marble flooring with the purpose of leaving my office to the conference room or that wasn't with intention of getting to an elevator or the long automobile I am currently dreading being in.
I start to think about the last time I had been exposed to nature as freely as any normal person is. An umbrella is held over my head whenever it snows or rains, the automatic blinds in my office close when it becomes too sunny outside, and the only wind I am accustomed to is stripped of any natural authenticity it might have had when filtered by the air conditioning system as it makes it's way into my office.
Maybe...just maybe David is right. Maybe it is time I take a break from everything.
The rain begins to subside as the car winds to a stop in front of the intimidating building.
