Hall Duty

Crazy mornings are the best. 

Stress helps you think better; 

lethargy and apathy aren't options

You just get going and keep going

The wind howled all night long

the storm windows rattled

not that I sleep well when my wife is gone anyway.

My alarm didn't go off.

I woke up more than an hour later than usual

I scrambled to get ready

pack lunches for the kids

roust them out of bed to get them going.

I didn't get breakfast

didn't make coffee

reminded everyone to dress warm

and what work to get done when they get home

The car stalled at the corner

I noticed it was low on gas

it stalled again as I pulled up to the pump

I went inside to pay and grab some coffee

I grabbed an egg sandwich and a bottle of gas-line antifreeze

I hurriedly paid for it all

and slammed into the door with the sign that said

please use other door

About a third of the way to school

my cell phone rang

I looked forward to talking to my love

but instead heard my middle daughter in hysterics

Something about snow pants

the wrong snow pants

little sister not listening

put your sister on

listen carefully,

wear the ones in your bag

let your big sister wear the other ones

Ok? Ok. Love you Daddy, love you too

Back to the middle girl

still hysterical

But they don't fit either

and I can't find mine!

I'm already a half hour behind

I'll get to school late

and I have hall duty

I wish I could help you

Can you just calm down

it will be okay

it's just one day

stay inside

And whatever you do,

don't call Grandma

This is not that big a deal

breathe, Honey, just breathe

My cell rings again

this time it is my wife

Excited about your conference?

I hope it goes well

I love to hear her voice

It almost makes it worth missing her

Just call to say good morning?

No, one of the kids called, what's been going on?

Nothing

No big deal

We got it handled

Everything's okay

I run into school

and head out to the hall

ten minutes later

than I'm sure my principal would've liked

Hall Duty can be tedious

standing in one place

for a half an hour

keeping students from loitering before the bell rings

It's a slow morning

not so many kids

probably all late

because of the cold

I visit with a a few

congenial and calm

playing the role of the

steady and positive adult influence

I read my book of poetry

and look out down the hall

past the lunch room, through the windows out front

and see that the snow has started to fly