With All My Senses

living arrangements

bossy / adjective

fond of giving people orders; domineering.

Charlie

I open my eyes as the faint light of the sun pours into the room and creeps under my eyelids finally waking me up. I hear the sounds of some TV show through the walls and roll over to my other side. My brain works on slow motion and the snooze button has already been pressed twice. I moan and sink under the covers. The afternoon shift - I think and after moment start to get up, slowing moving to a sitting position and rubbing my eyes. Yesterday was exhausting; I left the hospital around four in the morning, even though I was supposed to be done with my shift after midnight - so by the time I got out of the building, my eyes were barely staying open. Which wasn't anything new in my profession, but this time it just hit me harder somehow. It was probably a good thing that Nora didn't show up, I don't know if I could have found even five minutes to spare. My thoughts start to wander off to her and just like on autopilot I begin to worry. In all the commotion of last night, I forgot to mention that I wouldn't even be at work before noon. I stare numbly at the clock on the nightstand, it ruthlessly reads 9:58 a.m.

I had to hurry.

I drag myself out of bed and go to wash up, the whole thing takes me just ten minutes and now I am already standing in the kitchen; all dressed, eating a quick sandwich and drinking some cold, stale coffee. I cringe at the bitter, heavy taste. After a few moments of regaining some shreds of partial awareness, other things finally break through as well; the sound of the news playing on slipping between my muzzled-up thoughts. I stretch my neck to the left and notice Robert snoring on the sofa. I only see his big feet sticking out of the side but then again, who else would it be. I check my watch. 10:28 a.m. Late.

Rob, you're going to be late for your classes!

I shout out and hear a single, but a more distinctive snore.

What, where? Oh, hey bro. What's, ehm... what's happening?

The fact that it's close to noon and you're already late. And I will be late as well if I don't get out in the next 10 minutes.

I look out the little window in the kitchen and stare at the darkening sky. Yes, nothing better to lift your mood than a little gloom and melancholy in the air. I rub my eyes again and finish the last of my coffee. I look up and see my brother stroll casually to the kitchen with just his boxers on.

Any more left for me in there? 

He points to the nearly empty glass jug.

Sure, if you suddenly turn into a leprechaun*, then you should be fine.

Yeah, I was just about to spread some fairy dust on you. Why the mood, brother? Loosen up a bit, live a little.

I will live a little when you finish college and get a job as a decent vet. That's when I will loosen up.

Robert lifts his hands up in surrender and then drinks the black tar straight from the jug. His face scrunches up and he shivers.

Yeah, that hit the spot... but seriously, what's up?

I get up and look for the keys. I send him a long look but then just shrug.

A long night. Feels like I'm still sleeping. Maybe try and catch me in a better mood again tomorrow?