I wake up to the sound of my alarm. It's time to go to work. I sit up. I expect to have the worst pain of my life and I'm right. Oh,man. Ah, I am aching all over. I put my feet on the floor and stand up. Shit. Today is gonna suck.

I go through my usual morning routine. Shower, shave, brush my teeth, brush my hair, get dressed and have breakfast. However now it's at half speed because I hurt to badly. I almost feel like it's happening in slow motion.

I'm out the door and heading to work about 15 minutes late. I get to work, park my car in the usual spot and head indoors. The assistant librarian is already here. "Good morning Michael, your late today."

Harvey is the former head librarian. He lives nearby and walks to work. He just didn't want to retire but didn't want to run the place anymore either. He is the best. He loves books too. We get along great for years. He was the librarian when I was just a student coming here all the time; so he sees me as a nephew once removed or something. I see him as family too, to be honest.

"Sorry Harvey. I got into a little accident after work yesterday and it took me longer to get up and going today than I expected." I said as I put my stuff away in the front desk drawer. I guess that's when Harvey took a good look at me, cause he said "Good grief. What happened to you?"

"I saved a kitten from a tree but the tree won". I said, I really didn't know what to say.

"Do you wanna go home early? I can close up today."

"No thanks, but thanks. I want to continue reading my book and I would just be sitting at home anyway. I rather be here, you know?"

"I get it. I came in a little early today too because the new book order catalogue comes in today." Harvey laughed and pulled out a magazine from behind his back.

I laughed, "That's hilarious. Well, let me see it when your finished. Ear mark the good ones."

I grab my book and open to the page my bookmark was on.

Four o'clock.

Four already? Time to lock up.

I stood up and heard my bones pop.

Harvey looked up from his book and laughed, "I heard that, you're too young for that. Drink more water and stretch more. You'll become an old man before your time."

"At least I won't be the type of old man who lectures and nags people." I began tossing books into my cart.

Harvey and I locked up and I said good bye as he walked home. Then I headed to my car. I drove home. Or I wanted to but something unexpected happened.