Theresa Lewis

This morning, I got up at ten forty-five. Yeah, I know that’s late by most standards, but I only got to sleep around two this morning.

 

When I got up, I made my coffee and since I was as hungry as a bear I decided to have breakfast before doing anything else.

 

As I was enjoying my breakfast, the building fire alarm went off. I know what to do in case of that happening, but my first immediate reaction is to panic. I heard a kafuffle in the hallway and I opened my door a crack to see what was going on.

 

There was a man in the hallway who bellowed, “get out! NOW!” I wasn’t dressed, my hair was still standing on end from sleeping on it, I was still chewing my breakfast, but I obeyed the command. I grabbed my keys to lock my door behind me and I fled to the outside of the building as instructed. It was only sixteen degrees out there and I was freezing and shaking.

 

There were a number of others who followed me out wearing only their pyjamas, but I know I would have won the prize for raggedy sleepwear. We all have at least one horrible looking sleep garment. You know, you do. Don’t deny it. It’s the one where most of the fabric knap is worn off and some of the seams have started to let go. It kind of looks like a non-descript mottled fabric where you can no longer make out what the pattern used to be. The fabric is so thin that it’s almost transparent. But, it’s so comfortable that you can’t imagine your life without it.

 

I do have better looking newer nightgowns, but they tend to strangle me at some point during the night as I sleep. That’s why I always seem to gravitate towards the soft comfortable rags. No one is ever supposed to see them, but me. Yeah, right!

 

 

 

 

I don’t know what a sudden shock does to anyone else, but it causes me instant stomach cramps. I had to go to the washroom in the worst way, yet, I also had to try my best to control my bowels to the best of my ability. I was in agony. Thank God, it was only a drill and we were allowed to go back inside after fifteen minutes.

 

After the last fire drill, I made a short list of what to do in case of a fire. My list went like this:  make sure I have a coat and boots handy, grab my file box and grab my purse and run. It was a short list and one that would only take a moment to execute. When the building manager bellowed at me in his booming voice, I instantly got cramps and promptly forgot about the rest. I just ran outside in my nightgown.

 

I think I need more practice at this. Moreover, I know I need to change the way I do things while still trying to live comfortably inside my apartment.

 

I need to wear more appropriate or respectable clothing at all times. I think I’ll start sleeping in my street clothes from now on. I feel like I disgraced myself in front of everyone in the building this time.

 

 

THE END