Short Story 1

Regular Day
!
Im awake. The alarm clock seems to be screaming right into my ear and actually
I think Im screaming this to my inner self as well. Time to check out the room, yes.. Im
in the same place Ive been waking up for the past 15 years. White faded walls, old and
rusty furniture, small windows behind the almost transparent curtains and a nice thirty
inch television right in front of the king size bed where I am right now. You know what
they say: "You cant judge a book by its cover"? Well, you can totally judge my house by
this room.
Anyways, Im steady as a rock. It seems like Ive been awake for almost an entire week
and that Im too tired to move a single limb of my body but no, not really. Im just tired
and Im mostly tired of my job. I work at this construction site right in downtown on a
eight hour shift. Payment is not bad and most of my co-workers are actually friends of
mine and on weekends we go to a bar to have some drinks. Today is friday, I guess, and
its my turn to take the kids to school. Did I mention that Im married? Probably not.
Emma is lying right beside me, shes 38, shes a great mother and wife but she never
turns off the alarm clock.
!
-- Can you turn that thing off please?
!
--Yes, in a minute-- she replies.
!
--Why not right now? Its right on top of your bedside table.
!
-- Im too tired to move.
!
-- Do it now please.
!
-- You dont remember, do you?
Victor Manuel Perez Ibarra!
1

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!
-- About what?
!
-- We set this alarm clock half an hour earlier than usual so we can have like a
thirty minute margin to get out of bed.
!
-- So what time is it?-- I reply.
!
-- Its seven past six.
!
-- Are you sure?
!
-- Yes I am-- mumbles Emma.
!
-- How can you be so sure?
!
-- Female intuition-- mumbles Emma, again.
!
--Yeah right.-- I say.
!
--Ive been counting the seconds since the alarm clock started ringing...
!
-- Am I supposed to believe that?
!
-- You can either believe me or you can check out the alarm clock by yourself,--
she replies
!
-- I think Ill have to believe you this time.
This is what happens in bed every day in the morning except on weekends, you know,
you are not absolutely forced to wake up early on weekends unless your job requires
you to do it... which is not my case. But now Im fully awake and Im just waiting here to
have the courage to get off my warm bed. Ten seconds more... and thats it. Im totally
decided to leave this warm comfort.
!
--What day is today, Emma?
!
-- Its Saturday-- she replies.
!
-- Then turn off the alarm clock and go back to sleep, please.
Victor Manuel Perez Ibarra!
1

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