Sunday, January 24th, 2021

The office kitchen is crowded. Three people are talking inside. They tell me that I look tired and wonder if I’m still staying up late to celebrate the inauguration. Some of them have taken to calling me President Joe. I pour myself a cup of coffee from the water boiler near the door and back out while talking to them. I’m telling them excitedly about some music I’m working on. I forget that at the far end of the entrance to the kitchen a pillar juts out from the adjoining wall. I crash into it. My coffee spills onto my belly and onto the floor. I go back into the kitchen, get paper towels, and kneel on the floor to wipe up the spill. When I have gotten up what the paper towels will hold, I try to stand. My left foot is on a wet spot. It slides out from under me. I flatten out on the floor. I get back up on my hands and knees, crawl to a pillar, and pull myself up to stand. I see that the belly of my shirt is soaked. It’s a dark army green. It should dry quickly. It won’t show much of a stain. My skin is slightly burnt, but not badly so. I head back into the kitchen, pick up my cup with what coffee remains in it, and return to my desk. It’s going to be a long day.