The doors flew open as a man on a stretcher was rushed in. The nurses frantically him up to the machine with the flashing buttons and multiple knobs. The man was bleeding heavily through his ears, eyes, and mouth. I glanced at the man's face but I didn't recognize him. One of the nurses turned her attention to me and asked, "Mr. Matthew O'Connor? I let out a low moan. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you get that gash on your arm? I moved my left arm and felt a sharp, stabbing pain shoot through my arm into my hand. As I looked over in chock, I noticed a large bandage covering about half of my forearm that was soaked with blood. What had happened? The last thing I remembered was leaving for work this morning. I mumbled to the nurse, "What--what happened to me?" The nurse replied, "Don't you remember the accident? I guess not with all that alcohol and cocaine running through your system. The nurse added, "Maybe you should have let your friend drive you guys home." Again, I looked at the man in the bed opposite mine. It was all starting to come back to me...

    Flashbacks of the day pulsed through my weary head. I started getting a piercing headache as I took my mind back in time. My day stated with, "Honey! Get up! You're going to be late for work!" My wife was standing in the doorway with today's newspaper in her hand. "Okay, okay! I'll be up in a second!" I mumbled, half asleep. I dragged the covers off and sat up with my head in my hands. I took a deep breath and stumbled to the closet. I had forgotten to hang up my favorite shirt that I was planning on wearing to work to give my presentation in. As I picked up the shirt, I noticed the long crease going in a completely awkward angle down the right sleeve. *sigh*. My wife called from down stairs, "Breakfast is ready! You need brain fuel for your big day at work!" I finished dressing and made my way down stairs. Max started barking at me as soon as I entered the kitchen. I gave him a quick pat on the head and he gave me a passionate lick on my face. My son, Nick, was sitting on the couch watching TV. It was 9:40 A.M. "Son, why aren't you at school?" "I can't be bothered to waste my life at that prison of a school." I scratched my head in disbelief that my eighteen your old son was calling his school a prison. He is a senior and he still feels like school is a stupid waste of time. "Son, you need to go to school. Don't you want to graduate and go to college?" "Nope." He replied rebelliously. "Well, I'm offering you a ride if you'd like." "No, dad." My wife told me to hurry to work so I could be ready for my big presentation. I kissed my wife goodbye and stepped outside.

    Today seemed perfect. I was completely prepared for my presentation and I was looking sharp. "Morning, neighbor!" yelled my annoying neighbor, Jack. "Morning!" I quickly yelled back. I got in my Honda Accord as quickly as possible to avoid further conversation. I pulled out of my driveway and on to the street. *SCREEEECHHH* I slammed the breaks as a teenager driving a red ferrari sped down the street nearly hitting my car. Furiously, I palmed down the horny for a good five seconds as I regathered my composure. "CRAZY TEENAGER. GET OFF THE DAMN ROAD!" I screamed out the window.

    I made it to work without any further drama on the road. Confidently, I debriefed my presentation, checking over each part one last time. Everything was good to go. Grabbed my laptop, coat, and my lucky amulet given to me from my grandfather when I was only 6 years old. I slid the amulet into my back pocket and walked in to the office. I was immediately greeted by my co-worker that helped work on our presentation, Jeff. "Hey, hey, hey, Matty Boy!" He yelled from across the office. "Got our presentation?" I got out my laptop and booted up Powerpoint. "Man, this is gonna be great!" Jeff said ecstatically. "I hope so." I responded. I reached in my back pocket and felt my lucky amulet, solid and warm in my hand. It helped ease some of my anxiety. Our presentation finally loaded up on the screen and Jeff gave me a look that showed me he was really happy with our end product. "Matthew and Jeff, are you ready to present your computer chip design project to our senior staff?" My boss called through his half open stained glass and marble door. "Yes, sir!" Jeff and I confidently responded in unison. "Well alright then, come in here!" My boss snapped impatiently. Jeff and I came in, hooked up the laptop, and began our presentation.

    "That was truly an amazing presentation!" My boss said gleefully and other senior members agreed. "Hey, Matthew, could you stare here for a few minutes? I need to talk to you in private." My boss inquired. I followed him into his office and took a seat across from him. He looked me in the eyes and said, "I was very impressed by you and Jeff on your presentation. Listen, I know you put the most work into this project, and I'd like to thank you by offering your promotion." I knew I diserved this but for some reason I was still a little surprised. "Yes, that would be great! Thank you so much, sir!" "And thank you for all your hard work on this project, Matthew." My boss replied. I walked out of his office with a huge goofy grin on my face. "What was that all about?" Jeff asked. I told him the news about my promotion and he congratulated me.

    After work, Jeff suggested that we go out to celebrate, anywhere I wanted. I reluctantly said yes after such a long day. We decided to meet at the bar and have a couple beers.