the guy’s neighbors upstairs have yet to embark on their day long arguments, and somewhere in his building, an increasingly desperate dog rails against its owner’s disregard of its continence needs. i reach out for his hand, to make him spoon me, and when he did, i plan of calling in sick. i feel righteously pleased with my patience, the kind evergreens must possess in winter, resolute in the belief that one day the cold is going away.