Slice of Write

“Shit!” I yell as I hit my head on the overhang above my staircase.  I finish climbing down the stairs and stop for a second to make sure that I’m still functioning in a “normal” capacity.  I run through the questions of asking myself my name, date, and occupation.  I correctly answer the questions.  Okay, good, hopefully that means no concussion.  However, if I really was answering the questions incorrectly, would I even know?  And if not, then this whole routine would be moot anyway. 

I have lived in this apartment for over three years and I still hit my head on that damn overhang at least once a month.  One time I really do think I gave myself a concussion.  I was carrying the laundry basket downstairs, rushing to grab my cell phone in the living room, and then knocked myself pretty good.  I felt like one of those old cartoons where the character gets knocked in the head and the audience sees stars around him.  I always wonder if there were stars floating around my head that day.  I was left with a massive headache and a nice bump on my head.  At first, I told people the true story, causing their eyes to glaze over with boredom within seconds. 

A few days later, I met up with some old co-workers for drinks and told them I was in a snowboarding accident.  They were pretty impressed, then disbelief set it in, and then laughter.  It was hard for me to keep a straight face when telling them anyway.  Let’s just say, I don’t have the typical snowboard physique.  Years ago, some friends convinced me to go snowboarding with them.  I should have kept with my gut reaction of no.  Peer pressure set in and I finally said yes, knowing that I would probably regret my decision.  I was right.  It was a miracle I survived.  I used muscles I didn’t even know I had – muscles that never should be used in that way.  I was sore for over a week and cursed snowboarding the entire time.  The physical bruises healed but not the emotional ones. 

I check my watch and realize I’m running late as usual.  I grab my cell phone and I’m out the door.  Hopefully, the morning will go better than it started.  It’s Monday so I don’t have high hopes.