The Swelling Man
by Sarah San
Everyday I arrive late to sit down in front of a blank screen, waiting for calls from around the country inquiring about satellite internet. We’re talking prices, max uploading/downloading speeds, 2 gigs of storage space, all sorts of bullshit.
The man seated diagonally from me has caused my co-workers some discomfort and concern. They all gather during coffee breaks, surrounding the water cooler whispering to one another.
He’s getting too round to sit at his desk, they’ve arranged for a carpenter to come in. On Monday he’ll be here to get measurements, to construct a bigger desk. The manager’s very kind and understanding here, he tries to help the swelling man get comfortable. He’s arranged pillows from his home around the arms of the swelling man’s desk chair. He looks like the chocolate inside of a s’more, melted, greasy, surrounded by marshmallows.
As a result of the situation, the swelling man’s arms and legs were deemed useless by local and baffled doctors. The kind manager and my co-workers try to help out. We all roll him around wherever he pleases, whether it be to the bathroom to unload his bladder or out the back door for a little fresh air.
Today is special because it is his birthday. The swelling man ignores the ringing phones and whispers his whiskey secrets to any of his co-workers that’ll listen, causing them to make sour faces, contorting their little faces.
He calls his mother on company time, he tells us long distance ain't cheap no more. He tells his mother that he’s turned over a leaf, he swears.
“I stopped drinking ma, I’ve been staying out of jail”
The whole office sits uncomfortably during the entire conversation, the kind manager approaches the swelling man sternly implying that he should take the day off. It IS his birthday after all.
A couple of us roll him out of the office. He catches a good wind heading north and shout his goodbyes as the gusts take him home.
The man seated diagonally from me has caused my co-workers some discomfort and concern. They all gather during coffee breaks, surrounding the water cooler whispering to one another.
He’s getting too round to sit at his desk, they’ve arranged for a carpenter to come in. On Monday he’ll be here to get measurements, to construct a bigger desk. The manager’s very kind and understanding here, he tries to help the swelling man get comfortable. He’s arranged pillows from his home around the arms of the swelling man’s desk chair. He looks like the chocolate inside of a s’more, melted, greasy, surrounded by marshmallows.
As a result of the situation, the swelling man’s arms and legs were deemed useless by local and baffled doctors. The kind manager and my co-workers try to help out. We all roll him around wherever he pleases, whether it be to the bathroom to unload his bladder or out the back door for a little fresh air.
Today is special because it is his birthday. The swelling man ignores the ringing phones and whispers his whiskey secrets to any of his co-workers that’ll listen, causing them to make sour faces, contorting their little faces.
He calls his mother on company time, he tells us long distance ain't cheap no more. He tells his mother that he’s turned over a leaf, he swears.
“I stopped drinking ma, I’ve been staying out of jail”
The whole office sits uncomfortably during the entire conversation, the kind manager approaches the swelling man sternly implying that he should take the day off. It IS his birthday after all.
A couple of us roll him out of the office. He catches a good wind heading north and shout his goodbyes as the gusts take him home.
Rejected by Word Riot
Sarah San writes things occasionally, enjoys gummy candy, and can't swim.
She works on campus at a coffee shop and also at a phone center
surveying the American people on their opinions
related to current issues
in the media.
she has a blog: www.squidparts.blogspot.com
and an email: [email protected]
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