TIL that reading 'A Little Life' in one sitting while on my delivery route was a massive mistake

I was parked behind a strip mall in Austin around 2pm during my lunch break. Thought I'd just get through a few more chapters. Three hours later I'm sobbing in my van, snot running down my face, and I missed two pickups. My dispatcher called me three times. I had to tell her I was having a "personal emergency." The thing is, the book wrecked me so bad I couldn't even drive for another half hour. Has anyone else had a book completely derail your day like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra_black6d ago

Three years ago I got trapped in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio with "The Road" and had to call my boss and tell him my check engine light came on as an emergency. Which was a lie, I just couldn't stop crying long enough to drive safely, you know. A little trick I learned the hard way - always carry a backup audiobook or podcast in your work vehicle for exactly this reason. Those emotional reset breaks are no joke, especially when you're on the clock and nobody understands why you're a mess over some words on a page.

grantnelson6d ago

Wait, you actually told your boss you had a "personal emergency" while hiding behind a strip mall crying over a book? That's either incredibly brave or completely insane, honestly. I'm still stuck on the part where you missed two pickups and just sat there weeping instead of pulling yourself together, which is pretty bold for a delivery driver.