RAGE

I called the golf club in order to confirm my presence for the Sunday’s game. “America United’s Golf Club, may I help you?” said a woman in a very nice tone. “This is Mirsky, I’ve just canceled my next sundays’s game, but I want to schedule it again, I’ll be available.” “hmmmm let me ask my superior…” and the nice voice was changed by a silly song which nobody would like. Then a rude man’s voice took its place in the phone “Hello, this is Michael Smith, I understand you canceled your game and then you want to schedule again” “Yes, I hope there’s still place for me” I tried to look sincerely worried about their difficulty to do their job and reschedule a simple golf game. “We still have a place, you are lucky. However, I want to suggest you be more careful with schedules, it is not easy for us to change appointments. Have a nice day Mr. Mirsky.” Have a nice day… Sure! This was the best day ever. At least I would play.

So I was waiting on the line, seeing how the groceries were passed one by one through the scanner. The cashier didn’t look very intelligent, but at least he was doing his job and soon I would be out of the supermarket. Things were getting better until the unexpected happened, the check-out boy placed the terrible closed sign right in front of the lady before me, she smiled at him and left the line. This was too much for me, I wouldn’t accept it, so I started putting the groceries on the conveyer belt, all those groceries I didn’t think were worthy anymore. I did it as before, ignoring the stupid cashier, but with a renovated rage inside me, I could feel the heat of anger. At least, in the supermarket I was the client, I had the power over this young silly man. Apparently he didn’t notice his lower condition as he reacted quite angrily. “Let’s wait for the manager” I thought. “Sir, can’t you read well? This is my break out time!” yelled the poor boy. “I don’t care if this is your free time, I want to leave this horrible supermarket as soon as posible and you’ll have to work for one last customer” I was trying to be polite, but at a certain point I lost my mind and released my rage with him, I know I used some words I shouldn’t have used, but at that time I couldn’t really think about it. After a few minutes arguing, both very angry, the manager finally came, he arrived in the right moment to hear the cashier insulting me. The cashier was fired immediately “but please, boss, I have a family to support, you know I need this job” “you should have thought about it before insulting this client” I was so happy, I couldn’t believe that finally something good for me was happening, a little bit of justice. I looked at the poor fired cashier and said “Have some dignity and stop begging for this job” He almost ran out of the supermarket. I really felt much better after this.

Mrs. Crenshaw called the office again. I didn’t want to talk to her anymore, but she was the client, I answered very polite. “Mr. Mirsky I’ve changed my mind, I’ve just remembered that my family won’t come on Sunday, but Saturday. Ain’t that funny?... Anyway, these are good news for you, I’ll see you this Sunday.” The tone of her voice was so arrogant, I knew she was one of those people used to have everything they want. I was sick of her, but yet, I tried to be reasonable, I told her I had another appointment, but she wouldn’t listen to me. “Well Mrs. Crenshaw I don’t care if your stupid family is visiting you on Sunday or on Saturday, I don’t really care if the age is making you lose your memory, I won’t be available this Sunday.” Maybe I overreacted. She hung the phone. The situation was bad, I blew it. The boss’s office phone started ringing immediately.

The manager helped me with the groceries. Everything was getting better. Suddenly I felt somebody was looking at me, this wasn’t really surprising considering the scene I had just made. But it was strange I saw out of the corner of my eye a little girl looking at me, I turned my head and saw her. A beautiful blond girl was seeing me with her eyes wide open. There was no doubt, she was my daughter, Emily. Apparently she had seeing the whole scene and she was scared. I guess looking at a parent fighting with someone is not really a pleasant experience. Then I looked at the woman behind her, and yes, as I supposed, she was my wife looking at my with that angry face I knew very well. She was surely thinking that this was one of my multiple rage attacks, and she would argue with me. It was quite predictable. Surprisingly she said nothing, she just took my daughter and left the supermarket. I tried to go behind her, but it was useless. I let her go.

It was certainly Mrs. Crenshaw calling the boss, exaggerating everything. The boss went out of the office as he hung the phone. He approached my desk. “You are a fine sales manager Mirsky” Only fine? I’m the best manager he has had, I’ve made the best deals, I’m the one who has brought more money to the company. I’m not only a fine sales manager. “You’ve made a good job, but I’m tired of your eternal bad mood, you’ve been irresponsible… well, I just can’t stand you… Myrsky, take your belongings, you are fired”.

I returned home expecting that my wife would’ve forgotten everything and she wouldn’t perform a scene. But as soon as I arrived I realized she did care about what happened. My sister in law was at home, she was there every single time we had big problems, my wife always called her to take care of Emily. My sister in law took my beautiful daughter to the park, seeing me as if I was a monster, I never liked her. When my wife and I were alone she spoke visibly angry, but surprisingly calmed: “God knows I love you… but I can’t stand this anymore. I don’t want to be with someone who can’t controlled himself, you get angry so easily. I noticed you arrived quite late yesterday and I know about your constant hangovers; I don’t want Emily to grow up with a person like you. I want the divorce”. She said no more, neither did I.