Chapter Nine
When I walked into my booth the next day, seeing uncluttered countertops made me feel I was getting a fresh start. I removed paper towels and cleaning spray from my canvas bag and gave the surface a thorough wipe down. The grimy board was in need of a good scrub, but for the moment I did what I could. Ditto for the telephone and the glass that separated the two rooms. I took out a newly purchased notebook, markers, and other writing instruments, and lined them up in a neat row. After replacing the old batteries from the wall clock, I reset it according to my watch, which I had already set to the radio station earlier that morning. Today I promised myself I would be ready for whatever was thrown my way. My racing heart apparently had not gotten the message, for when I spotted
