Read Online When It All Falls Down by Dijorn Moss - Free Book Online Page A

advantage with the fact that this job takes place in Sacramento. I have my contacts and I can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. I step outside to a somewhat warm night and I wait for the shuttle to arrive so that it can transport me to the rental car place.
    It is about ten minutes before the shuttle arrives. I step on the bus and begin my journey to the rental car agency. The ride is no more than seven minutes, but it feels like the shuttle takes forever to navigate through the traffic and turn down a narrow road. I am ready to get my car and go. In fact, I don’t even place my suitcase on the shelf; I sit with my suitcase on my lap and my briefcase on top.
    When we arrive at the rental car site, I get off the first shuttle and I do a slight jog to Dollar Rent A Car. A young Latina does data entry on her computer until she sees me approach.
    â€œGood evening, sir. Welcome to Dollar Rent A Car.”
    â€œI have a reservation,” I say as I hand the girl a printed-out version of my confirmation.
    â€œThank you,” she says while she inputs my information. “And do you have your—”
    I hand her my ID and other information before she even finishes.
    â€œThank you.” The rep takes the information and makes eye contact with me while she inputs my information. “Here you go.” She hands me my ID and a pamphlet with the keys. “The car is out back.”
    â€œThank you.” I grab my things and head outside. Once outside I find a cherry red Camry. The car is too flashy, but I love the Camry for the purpose of completing my assignments. The car has room and is reliable. Space and consistency in my field is equivalent to speed and accuracy in any sport.
    The congested rental car parking lot is all that resembles Los Angeles. As I drive out of the parking lot and onto the freeway, I see a city that is unchanged through the persistence of time. There are tall buildings, gas stations, fast food restaurants, and Walmart, but for the most part Sacramento remains a massive farmland. Life seems to operate at a slower pace in Sacramento as opposed to its sibling. The 80 freeway is not well lit so I rely heavily on my lights, as opposed to the skyscrapers and the Staples Center that light up Los Angeles. I see my exit, Fernrock, and I take the snakelike exit to the surface streets and arrive at the executive-stay hotel.
    I know I have spent too much time on the road when I can pull into a parking lot of a familiar hotel and feel like I am home. I guess that means that my apartment in Carson is nothing more than a permanent hotel room. I pull into an empty parking space and turn off the car. I rest my head back on the seat and take in deep breaths and I exhale. This will be one of a few moments when I am able to rest and relax before I enter the chaotic world of problem solving.
    I open a crack in the window to let the smoke out. I don’t know if I am addicted to smoking or if I just find comfort in it. Life carries with it many challenges and twists and turns. Stress can produce cancer cells just like smoking, so it is a catch-22 all around. I can’t worry about the multiplicity of ways that I can die; that is unproductive.
    After I finish my cigarette, I flick the butt into the night as I exit the car. I follow the neon lights of the executive stay and enter an empty lobby.
    â€œWelcome to Executive Suites,” the cheerful girl at the help desk says.
    â€œReservations under Nicodemus Dungy.” I hand her all of my documentation.
    It takes her only a minute to process my reservation. Preparation is the key for me and I can’t expect to be successful if I can’t even book a decent hotel.
    â€œHere you go.” She hands me both my ID and my room key. “The elevator is to the left.”
    â€œThank you and good night.” I make my way to the elevator and on to the second floor where I find my room on the other end of the hall.
    After a couple