June 25, 2000

From very, very far away a hand is gently rocking my shoulder.  A voice is saying something.

"...gotta get going."

I must have fallen back to sleep.  I was reading in bed after breakfast and I must have fallen back to sleep.  The lead blanket starts to slide away from my brain and I focus just a little better, rising out of the nap.

"Greg, wake up.  You've gotta get going."

It's Joanne.  She's waking me.  She's intently rocking my shoulder and telling me we have to get going.  I blink a little and run my hand over my face.  Joanne.  Get going.  Joanne.  Pregnant.  Due.  Gotta get going.

Oh, my God.

I lurch out of bed, swaying slightly, fighting disorientation.  "OK," I say.  "Um.  OK."

"I'm really sorry I woke you," she says.

"No, no.  Let's, ah--"

"It's just that the videos have to be back by noon or they charge us for an extra day."

 



★