The day
Chapter one:
I’ve recently moved towns. It was hard, but it had to be done. I had to let go & move on.
I was lucky enough to find my new life in a small town called Oaksville.
I found a run down house on the outskirts of town that I could afford on my own and more recently was lucky enough to find myself a job. My life is settling down again.
I take a few deep breathes as I begin my after run stretching whilst watch the sun rise over Oaksville. The view is spectacular. The rolling hills go on forever and the different thpes of fields and crops growing- its like something out of a book. Every morning I run along a maintained track which is along side a running stream. Today there is a duck floating down the stream. Were we racing? I’ve never raced a duck before.
Oaksville isn’t particularly big; about 30000 people live here, and they are mainly farmers & people who work on the land. But they have been very kind, enveloping me into their community and social events.
My alarm on my phone goes off- I need to start getting back home to begin getting ready for work.
I unlock my front door and begin running up the stairs to my second story. Its an older house, but I love the character and history of days gone by. I enter my bathroom and begin unwinding my long curly brown hair down. I have a quick shower and wash my hair. I walk from my bathroom into my closet to retrieve my uniform- its black; blouse and pants.
I quickly apply some make up in my hallway mirror; paying extra attention to my eyes and then expertly whip my hair into a neat, messy bun. I enter the kitchen and quickly make a coffee, finding a sense of relaxation in the quiet hum of my coffee machine. I pop the lid on my coffee and begin the 10 minute walk to work.
I am employed with a local business- an optometrist practice. We check peoples eye’s, sell and repair glasses and help people maintain healthy eyes. Jen’s Eyecare weren’t necessarily looking to employ someone, when I first moved here. I showed up one Friday afternoon with a battered resume and was completely soaked due to the afternoon summer rainstorm. Maybe Jen and her husband Cameron took pity on me, or maybe they were impressed with my resume. I have worked in this industry for over 10 years.
I switch on the computers and say morning to Jen.
“Morning Olive! How was your run?” asks Jen as she sips her coffee.
“Lovely as usual.” I reply as I attach my name tag to my uniform.
Olive Patterson- Optical dispenser.
Another staff member Rachael is also working today. I can see her in the backroom, finishing her make up and putting her glasses on.
“ Hi Rachael. How have you been?” I ask politely.
“Oh, Olive, the girls have been sick and so has Dan. Its just nice to get out of the house.”
“ is it the flu?”
“ no, just some stomach bug going around- don’t catch it Olive! Its disgusting” She laughs.
Once the computers are up and running, Rachael and I can see our Appointments for the day & it looks like a busy day.
“Mr and Mrs Jones are coming in today” Rachael says
“Hopefully they wont bring a cow in... was it a cow last time?” I try to remember.
“ it was a sheep, wasn’t it?’
“ it was a pony” yells Jen from her consulting room.
I laugh remembering that day. Who brings a farm animal to their eye examination and hopes the optometrist will check the Pony’s eyes too?
