Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A New Normal

I grab a quick bite to eat on the way back to the office and make it just in time to gather my reports and meet with Lisa.  

The meeting was tiring, and she was even more annoying in person, but with the help of Sara in the morning I was calm.  The meeting turned out to be a smashing success and I left the office that afternoon feeling pretty good about myself. 

I get a big dinner and fall asleep early watching Netflix.  

The alarm rings, it is 5:30am.   I'm groggy.   I need coffee.  

I slowly open my eyes and glance at my phone clumsily sliding the alarm off with my finger.  "Why did I set my alarm this early again?" I ask myself.  

Not waiting for an answer my legs slide off the bed as my body follows.  I automatically walk towards the shower still with the lights off.  My hand reaches inside the shower and turns the water on.  "Damn that's cold '' I say outloud to the empty dark room as the water hits my hand.  I immediately get annoyed that the shock of the water removes the fog from my brain.  

The memory of yesterday slowly starts to fade into view as I smile.  I hurriedly take a shower, get dressed and head to the office stopping by to eat a big breakfast at the cafe on the corner.  

When I stop off the elevator on the 5th floor I see Robert waiting for me.  "Good to see you Mr. Johnson! Lisa called and told me you met yesterday." 

"Uh oh!  Any concerns?" I ask

"No, No. Just the opposite.  She loves you!  She actually mentioned some new potential work!! Great job!" 

"Anytime!" I smile

I walk down the hall towards my office and Sara is there waiting for me with my standard cup of coffee and my days agenda.  "Good morning Mr. Johnson!" She smiles.

"Morning Sara, what's on the schedule for today?" 

"At 9am I have you scheduled for a team debrief from yesterday's meeting with Lisa. At 10:30 you are meeting a new client and that will go through lunch.  After lunch you have a presentation upstairs." 

"Thank you Sara, great job" I respond as she beams with pride. "Anything else?" I ask while sipping my coffee.  

"Actually yes. Based on your success with Lisa yesterday she has asked to meet in person on a weekly basis." 

"Uh oh… I'm not sure I'm ready for that, Sara." 

"That's ok Mr. Johnson.  I took the liberty of scheduling it for Friday morning."

"And why the hell would you do that?!?" I bark

"Because sir" she says slyly "yesterday's meeting is proof that regular meetings with her are good for our company. We got some new work!"  

"Yea but I DO NOT want weekly meetings!!" 

"Mr. Johnson, I'm here for whatever you need.  Oh I almost forgot. I scheduled Lisa for Friday mornings and then after lunch I have cleared your schedule so  you can personally debrief me.  We can have our debrief meetings off-site" she winks. 

"Haha ok Sara. If you insist. But be warned, Lisa stresses me out quickly so weekly meetings will put a lot of pressure on you to keep me calm." 

"Sir. I am here to please you and make sure you are productive at work" she says with a smile. "Last thing Mr. Johnson.  Do you mind if I eat my lunch in your office? I want to make sure I finish quickly so I can get back to work. I don't want to be late." 

Part 5