Brad Rines's Blog

It is 2 am, why am I feeling weird?  Shivering, sweating, feeling unsettled... hmmm?  I get up and go to the bathroom.  The discomfort has passed, only took an hour, I wish I could get back to sleep. Breakfast went down well, but not feeling completely right... a little shaky, off .  I get on the bus, light-headed, maybe.  Is that tightness in my chest?  Did I pull a muscle digging in the garden the other day?  I try a few deep breaths.  Better, yes? Time to get on the train... is that really tightness in my chest?  Should I walk up the escalator or ride this time.  No, I will walk, just like I always do, it will be a test.  There, see, all good, tap my pass card and head for the second escalator, yeah, go ahead and climb.  Join the queue on the platform and relax.  Why is my heart thumping in my chest, I do this everyday, is this shortness of breath, am I dizzy?  Deep breaths, deep breaths, here comes the train....

  The package on the sideboard glared at him.   The courier delivered it just after breakfast and it had been doing so all morning. “It’s not going anywhere,” Karen said.   She shifted the bundle of dirty laundry under her arm. Gary kept his eyes fixed on the intruder.   It was not the first time the Sir Laff-A-Lot Novelty Company had insinuated itself into their home.   “I could get rid of it,” he said. “No, you can’t.   He ordered it.   He’ll wonder why it hasn’t arrived.   Anyway, he’ll be back from golf soon, just relax.” How could he relax?   At least the old man wasn’t making a fool of himself with his golf buddies. Karen rolled her eyes and glanced out the window.   “Your brother is here,” she said and disappeared down the hall. The door burst open and the foam nose dangling on the coat hook flicked at the sudden breeze.   Dean, witnessing the standoff, shifted his eyes from the package to his brother and back ag...