A good day?(Darrell Case)  

Mel Carter felt like skipping. It seemed as if everything was going his way this morning. His wife gave him a passionate kiss. She whispered in his ear. “More to come tonight”. He grinned, knowing what she meant.

She smiled at him. Her green eyes twinkling, her auburn hair shining. How he loved her.

“You guys be good at school today. I’ll see you tonight.” He said to the twins. 6 years old and their grades were mostly A’s, with an occasional B.

“Bye daddy.” They said, smiling.

“Don’t forget about this weekend.” His son said.

“Right, we’ll have a good time.” He said.

He started his new Chevy Malibu and took a few seconds to inspect the house. The roof was good, just had the old one replaced last summer. The house could stand a coat of paint. But was good for another year.

He drove down the street, waving at his retired neighbor. Ben mowing his lawn waved back.

He parked his car on main street. Five blocks from the office. Being a lone agent for Globel Insurance, he had the freedom to set his own hours, but he never did.

He reveled in the sunshine. The heat of the day tempered by a cool, southerly breeze. He might just leave the car and walk the rest of the way to the office. It reminded him of the last day of school. As a child, summer vacation stretched before him like a wide river.

Walking a crossed the street, he glanced at his reflection in the window of Ken’s fish market, adjusting his tie, smoothing his hair. Putting on his best smile, he entered the store.

“Good morning, Ken. How you doing today?” Mel said.

Cutting up a trout, Ken glanced up, a frown on his bearded face. “Ok, I guess.” He continued cleaning the fish.

Mel reached into his briefcase. “I have your insurance policy right here.” He held it up. “All you need to do is sign it and you’ll be fully insured.”

Ken stopped, put his arms on the display case and glared at Mel. “You know I been thinking. My cousin said he got a policy with another insurance company for twenty bucks less on the month. Can you do that?”Mel felt his heart plummet into his stomach. “Ken, I’ve trimmed your coverage as much as I can. I even called the home office. They cut you the best deal they could.”

“Well, unless you can come down, I’m going with this other company.” Ken said, putting the trout in the display case. ”Ken. You have to look at the coverage. You know that lawsuit several years ago almost wiped you out. If our company had covered you, we would’ve defended you and your store,” Mel said.

“So will they. Marge, bring me some more rainbows.” He waited a few seconds. “She didn’t hear me.” Ken walked into the back room.

Mel stood there feeling like a fool. Betty ukel entered the store. “Oh hi Mel, too bad about Doris.” The elderly woman said.Mel stared at her openmouthed, “What do you mean?” thinking about his secretary.

“She fell and broke her foot this morning. Right one I think.” The elderly woman said. “She didn’t tell you? Maybe didn’t have time. Not with all the medical people and police.” Mel felt cold chills run down his spine.“Police?”“Oh, it happened right in front of your office. Up right on main street. Fell down them concrete steps you had put in last year.”

“But…but she’s ok? Isn’t she?” Mel said. For a day that started out so well, spun into a disaster. So far, he had lost a policy and his secretary was hurt.

Betty laughed. “Well, I don’t know.” When I twisted my ankle, I was down for three weeks.”

“Excuse me, I must see how Doris is.” Mel said, hurrying out the door to the shop. As he reached the sidewalk, his cell phone buzzed.

“Hello?” He said, not sure he wanted to answer it.

“Honey, I’m going after the twins? The nurse from school called and they’re both vomiting. I phoned the doctor’s office and they’re calling in a prescription. ”” Both of them? They were fine this morning.” Mel said, setting on a bench meant for bus passengers.

“Yes, the nurse said there is a flu bug going around. Would you mind picking up the prescription?” She said. In the background, he heard her start her car. “The nurse said she would call it in to the pharmacy.”

“Fine, I’ll meet you at the house.” Yet it was over an hour before he could get the prescription filled. Frist the nurse forgot to call it in to the pharmacy. Then it seemed as if the whole town went to the drugstore this morning. Mel stood in line for 20 minutes and waited another 10 minutes for the prescription to be filled.

Entering his home, he almost gagged. The entire house smelled like a sickroom. The smell almost made him sick. His wife drafted him for her cause. Washing bed linens cleaning up vomit.

That afternoon, his secretary called. “I’m finally out of the hospital. I’m going to be off for a while. You better see if you can find someone else to fill in for me. I don’t think I can work. Sorry.”” But…but…” Mel shuddered. Doris had already hung up. Mel flopped down on the couch. He wanted to cry, but was too tired.

Three days later, Mel opened the front door to his home. He stuck out his nose, expecting someone to clobber it. It was a beautiful day. Not too hot, not too cool. His cell phone rang.

“Hello?” He said cautiously.

“Hey Mel, is that policy still available?” Ken said. “Turns out my cousin was full of hot air.”

“Yes, Ken, I can still get it for you.” Mel said. His mood increasing.

“Bring it by this morning and I’ll sign it.” Ken said.”Thanks.” Mel said, feeling relieved. The twins bounded down the stairs. He wanted to correct them for running in the house, but didn’t. He smiled at them.

“Feeling better?” He said.

“Great, daddy, can we still go fishing this weekend?” His son asked.

“Yes, if you feel like it.”” Mommy said while you guys are fishing, we’ll go shopping for a new dress for me.” His daughter said.

His cell phone rang again. “Hello.” He said, feeling better than he did before.

“Have you replaced me yet?” Doris said.

He smiled. “Not yet, but I got this gorgeous blond coming in this morning.”

“Don’t hire her. I’ll be in the office by 10,” Doris said, smiling.

“Wonderful, see you then.” He said. Putting his phone in his pocket.

“Breakfast is ready.” His wife said.

“Be right there.” He said.

“Just wait until tonight.” She whispered in his ear. Smiling, she kissed him on the cheek.

He smiled at her.

It was going to be a great day. But he would not take any bets on it.

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