1983

I was working in an AMEX factory… A call center, for traveling people on business, for one of the largest accounting firms in the country… I was a call center supervisor. And I was good at my job.

“We got twenty on hold, what’s your status?”

“I got five screens full..! What do I do?”

“Get them cleared, and then let me know…”

“Travel office, what can I help you with..?”

Bzzzz…. Bzzzz… Bzzzzzz

“C..!! When you can? I got one more holding… S.? How you doin?”

C.: “Ready! Let’s clear it!”

S.: “Can I help?”

You’re good, hon… Get those res’er’s done…!

Bzzzz… Bzzzz… Bzzzzzzzzzz

Beeper goin’ wild…

Shit. Mom. Two sisters’ preggo… and due…

“What’s up Mom? Crazy day at work…”

“We have a boy!! A beautiful, healthy boy..!!! 8 pounds, 12 ounces… Gorgeous!! Wait… Call waiting… It’s R. Hold on… Be right back... ”

“Ok… Mom? I gotta — ”

10 new calls waiting… Gotta clear this screen…!

“Ok, folks… I got ten more… Let’s everyone get at least 3 screens cleared and move on this mutha…”

“Doris… He’s… there’s something wrong… there’s something wrong with the baby…”

I don’t remember much after that… Dropped the phone. Grabbed my bag and ran for the door. One of my folk, a sixty-something mixed heritage woman with more stories than I could ever tell, stopped me by grabbing my arm… I’ll remember her freckled face forever… Asking what was wrong… Listening. Taking over. Walking me to my car…

Telling me to not drive until I was calm…

Calm…?

K.

Breathe.

Just…

Breathe…

To be continued…

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