There Already

Morning here at the Gorge. I wander down the big staircase to the common room while the rest of the house is either still in bed or doing their morning preparations. Only the two cooks are heard through the open door to the kitchen, preparing for the upcoming rush. Hawkins is busy straightening the tables and setting out the new editions of the newspapers, magazines, and a couple flower arrangements.

I move to the sideboard and pour myself a mug of freshly made, strong dark coffee and lift it to my lips without drinking. I take a moment to slowly smell the aroma, it's almost enough by itself. Like every day, I'm looking forward to getting to work. It's a good feeling. Hawkins looks up at me and nods, I smile back.

The salmon light of the sunrise is beginning to intensify through the big double entry doors and the oversized double-hung windows along the front wall. It's my favorite time of day here or anywhere. All of the promise of the day seems locked up with nervous energy still. Like standing in a stable full of horses waiting to be released from their stalls. Restored from their night, ready for the day to begin. To Stretch, to move, to do what horses naturally do.

I take my coffee and walk out of the front doors onto the large covered porch which wraps around all four sides of the lodge here at the Gorge. The smell of the world outside envelopes me and sends a chill down my spine. It's about 50 degrees and almost silent outside. A bird, a robin, sings in the trees that line the drive. Now another robin answers. Such large voices for such small birds. I close my eyes and take a sip of the coffee, slowly. The heat and moisture feel good as I inhale, the taste fills my senses.

I wouldn't mind being stuck in this instant of time, right here, for a bit longer. Not at all.

A few moments more like this, suspended between worlds and I hear footsteps on the stairway inside, a muffled conversation and a laugh. The larger day will soon begin in earnest and I'
ll probably spend at least part of it in a room with several of the others, collaborating on a project. The rest of the time I'll spend tucked into some corner, away from the others, laptop open, working on my story. Building with words, people, relationships, problems, solutions, a whole world with all its vibrations and rough corners. I can see it all when I close my eyes. The job is to get it down so others can see it as well.

I like my job.