{a day trip} 24/31 #sol16

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

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This is not my first choice of a day trip during spring break.  But I had to go.

I wanted to leave early to be sure I gave myself enough time to get there.  I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going, plus it was raining this morning.  Last night I plugged the address into my Maps app so I was ready to go.

After climbing in my car, and cranked up the heat, I pressed ‘start’ on my app.  She guided me on my journey through the rain.  The drive was easier than I expected. I guess perhaps because of spring break and just days before the Easter holiday. 

There was a crowd of people walking in from the drizzling rain. We narrowed into a single file line to be escorted through security.

“I have a laptop in my bag,” I tell the security officer as I handed him my bag, with hopes that I could write a little and read some slices. 

“Down the hall,” I was directed.  I began walking not sure of where I was going, again. I continued to walk down the long hall and slowly the people behind me drifted off into different areas.  

I was walking alone.

“Excuse me,” I said to another security officer, showing him my paperwork. “I’m not sure I’m going the right way.”

“Yep, right there is your room,” he motioned.

“Oh, I wasn’t sure because there was a mob of people when I came in and now I’m the only one,” trying to make light of my confusion.

“You’re late!  You are the last one to get in there,” he laughed.

Blushing, I responded, “Oh, it said to be here by 9 A.M.  I’m here early!”

I walked into room 111 and was greeted by a smiling woman.  There were three other people in the waiting area.  I was not late.  I handed the woman my paperwork.

“Is this all current information?  Pick a number.  What number?”

“Yes.  Is there a lucky number?”  I laughed, picked the number 2, and showed her my number.

“They are all lucky. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable,” she responded slyly, as if she had heard this joke before.

Now I sit. And wait. And write. And watch.  It’s 9:05 A.M and there are currently 15 people waiting with me.  And there is no free wi-fi.  What was I thinking?  There is no hope of getting lost in your stories and slices today while I did a lot of waiting …

9:30 A.M.  The kind lady at the front desk welcomed us again. She instructed us to sit so that we could see one of the TVs in the room to watch a ten-minute video to learn more about today’s process and hopefully it will answer any questions that we may have at this time. 

I watched the video, not really learning any new information, rather just refining my understanding of the process  Afterward, she pointed to the different areas of the waiting area, including the quiet rooms.  She reminded us to make ourselves comfortable again and if there was anything she could do to help us today, we could speak to her.  She turned on the main TV to a national talk show, and everyone turned their attention back to their phone, book, or nap.

9:45 A.M.  Now I sit. And wait. And write. And watch.

It was still drizzling outside.  Because there was no free wi-fi, I opened up Word. I guess writing a little slice would do.  I still needed to write for today.  After writing my slice up until this moment, I grabbed my big bag and changed my seating to a smaller quiet room. 

10:45 A.M.  Now I sit. And read. And write. And watch.

The rain poured down outside. I checked my email and responded to a text.  I pulled out several books that I brought with me, unsure of what I would be in the mood for: a reread of Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper to share in this story with a class that’s reading it together, a professional, uplifting read with The Teacher You Want to Be, or a little creativity inspiration with Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.

11:45 A.M. Now I sit.  And write. And read. And watch.  And think about lunch.

I could hear the pitter-patter on the glass.  It was still raining.  After reading about a third of Big Magic, I felt the urge to write.  I wrote a poem of sorts.  I wrote a reflection about my upcoming birthday.  I was distracted by receiving another text or two.

12:20 P.M. Now I listen.  “And so it seems the two sides in the civil case settled without needing you.  Hang tight for a couple more minutes to be sure that you are not requested elsewhere.  Great job settling this case without even leaving the room today,” the kind woman who greeted us this morning stated.

There were a couple chuckles in my room.  And then I sat a few more minutes before being released into the rainy, cold day after I picked up my $25 check for my civic duties. I was hungry and soup on this cold, rainy day sounded good.  I plugged in the nearest Panera and spent almost half my earnings there on lunch. 

Ah, just a day in the life of a ­­­­potential juror on a day trip to the local circuit court.  Perhaps next time will be more adventurous!