I admit it.
It used to be that, when I rolled down my window to scan my security card and gain access to the parking garage at my work, I left the window open for as long as possible afterwards while putting the card back into my purse. That way, anyone who happened to be walking or driving near by would hear the music I was playing and know that I was too cool for Corporate America.
Now, instead, I roll my window up as soon as I can. Now I feel the need to keep my music and myself contained in my world (which is sometimes my car) as much as I can.
Wesley Parks
Wesley Parks called my cell phone at 4:41 AM the other day, and then again at 4:42 AM.
Who is Wesley Parks? I don’t know, but last week he had a seizure that knocked him into a coma for more than a day.
He used my voice mail to apologize to Rose, Kevin and the others for being out for so long. I don’t think anyone else had called to tell them Wesley was in the hospital. His second phone message sounded even more apologetic and out-of-it. I was concerned. I hoped he was okay and that this wouldn’t get him fired.
I called Wesley Parks. His mother answered the phone.
“May I please speak to Wesley?” I said. I heard happy conversation in the background – maybe Wesley and his dad.
“He’s… he’s…. He was in a coma…” his mother said lamely. I think she meant that he was busy being fully alive again, and couldn’t take my call right at that moment.
I started telling her about the two messages he’d left on my phone. She interrupted and defensively explained again that he’d been in a coma. She apologized for the fact that he’d dialed the wrong number, her voice all frosty.
“No… I’m not upset. I’m just trying to tell you… He called it twice. I just wanted you to know…”
“Well, I’m sorry he bothered you. I’ll let you go now.”
“No… I just… I just didn’t want him thinking my number was his work number. I mean… I don’t think he ever really called his work. What if he forgot…”
I let my words trail off. How insensitive would it have been to say, “What if his coma messed up his mental functioning and he can’t dial the correct number on his own? What if he never calls his work and they fire him?”
I worried about it for a while after she hung up on me. I considered waiting until later and then calling again – to talk to Wesley, himself, when his mother wasn’t there.
Then I looked at my clock and saw that I was running late. I forgot about Wesley Parks in my rush to get ready and go to work. Hey – I don’t want to get fired.
I’m sorry, Wesley, but it’s every man for himself around here. So the women have to take care of themselves, too.
You have your mom, Wesley. I just have me.
