Animal Tale #2

The first day I worked from home

The first day I worked from home the morning went by quite swiftly, quickly.

I stood up only once to make myself a coffee. Actually twice, as the coffee was too hot and, as I remembered about the milk in the fridge, I had to stand up and turn it into an iced latte. In The Netherlands good days like this are rare and cannot be wasted on warm drinks.

However, apart from these minor distractions; and a few other hypochondriac Google searches about the possible implications of a shaking hand, a quick glance at a website suggesting “easy dinner for two,” a redirected search for a picnic recipe instead, two bathroom breaks, changing work locations at least six times, and a self-diagnosis (hardly news) of anxiety; I was actually quite focused on getting work done. So when lunch time arrived I decided to reward myself to some leftover cold pizza on the balcony.

As I love reading in the sun I took my kindle with me. Reading would help with my anxiety and possibly reduce my shaking, consequently stopping me from getting even more anxious. It was set to be a great lunch break.

As I was biting into the first slice of pizza I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the sun on my face. I could hear the birds chirping, the muffled rumble of cars driving by and the wind making its way through my plants. I felt its freshness on my legs. My hairs started dancing with him.

After finishing my pizza I lay down, and started reading.

Time went by, as it always does when I read, marked only by the occasional tap of my finger on the screen to turn the page and the shifting shadows of birds flying on top of me. I enjoyed their dance and the brief cool shades they casted on my skin. So when one suddenly swooped down and took the kindle out of my hands I was wordless. Both literally and metaphorically.

A seagull took my kindle and flew away with it, I only hope that he can read Italian.

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