George shifted the car's transmission from drive to reverse, palmed the headrest of the passenger seat, turned his head clockwise from twelve to four, and backed his car into the farthest possible parking space from the entrance of the Public Utilities building. George felt good. He'd slept well, it was Friday, and there was little traffic on his commute to work. The weather was in an even better mood: no clouds, mid-seventies, fresh air, and dew on the ground. If it weren’t for the meeting scheduled first thing in the morning George could’ve spent all day outside. Instead he would have to settle for a stroll through the parking lot.
Good morning, Sharnice!
Sharnice, simultaneously answering phone calls and responding to emails at the receptionist’s desk, attempted to respond but George was already gone before the greeting could be returned. George dropped his briefcase off at his office and reached the conference room with ten minutes to spare; the only other person present was Steve.
Good morning, Steve.
Good morning.
How are you, how’s the baby?
I’m alright. The baby’s good, how are you?
I’m doing great actually. I don’t know why, but I slept so well last night. I guess you could say I slept like a baby.
That sounds horrible.
What? No, I mean I slept well, it was like when a baby sleeps.
Babies don’t sleep well. They wake up every 3 hours, most of the time screaming for a bottle. Sleeping like a baby would be a terrible night’s sleep.
I don’t know, whenever I see a baby they’re asleep. I think to myself, “must be nice.” I slept so well last night, I feel like I can relate now, like I get it, I slept like a baby.
Did you wake up screaming for food every three hours with shit in your underwear?
No.
Then you didn’t sleep like a baby.
I think it works, it’s kind of catchy. I slept like a baby. It’s a nice sentiment. Maybe you’re just grumpy from a lack a sleep. Maybe your baby needs to learn how to sleep like a baby.
Steve didn’t respond to this, except to glare at George while taking an extra-long sip of his coffee. They sat in silence while waiting for the remaining attendees to arrive.