Monday And The Murdered Man*

“Hello, Tanya” Dad says as he answers the phone.  “Are you at the office?”

“Yes,” I say.  “Well – I’ve popped out to get some lunch but, yes, I’ve made it to the office.  The thing is – I’ve run out of my antidepressants and…”

“Well we’ve got loads here,” Dad says.

“Would someone be able to bring me some please?” I say.

“Hang on, I’ll hand you over to your mother,” Dad says.

“Hello darling,” Mum says.  “How are you?”

“Well, I need some more of my antidepressants and…” I burst into tears.

“Darling, what’s the matter?” Mum says.  “You’ve got to get over this Monday thing.”

“Well I’m at the office,” I say, through my tears, “but my cold is really bad and it’s that that’s making me feel sick and…well, I’ve missed a few days of my antidepressant and I feel terrible and…”

“Why didn’t you let us know and we could have dropped it at your flat over the weekend?” Mum says.

“Well,” I say, “I thought I’m seeing you on Wednesday anyway so…”

“Do you want me to come round and take you out for dinner?” Mum says.

“No, I’d rather make some dinner myself,” I say.  “But please will you help me unload the dishwasher and the washing machine and…”

“Have you got any food in the flat?”  Mum says.

“I can get some,” I say.

“OK darling,” Mum says.  “Call me when you leave the office and I’ll make my way to your flat and I’ll help you.  Now stop crying and go and do your work.”

“I’m not crying on purpose,” I say.  “It’s not my fault.”

“I’ll be with you later,” Mum says.

“Thank you, Mum,” I say, feeling even worse that am so pathetic that need my Mum to do everything for me.  Am thirty six years old.

Am now back at the office, and must get on with my Important Work.

Have attached an Aaron Jackson flying pig from the garden centre to cheer us up on this grey Monday.

Happy Monday everyone!

*2011.  By Andrew Kirschbaum.  Detective novel.

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