SOL #9: Last In, Last Out

This March writing challenge is organized by Two Writing Teachers

I thought I was getting to work on the early side today, but I was still the last car in the small parking lot around back, where the folks on my end of the building all park.  "What time do they get here?" I wondered to myself, not for the first time.  I know at least two of them show up over an hour early and walk.  WALK, when they could be sleeping!  I don't get it.  Over the past couple of years, I've started getting up a bit earlier, but it doesn't get me to work any sooner.  It just lets me eat breakfast at the table instead of in the car, and gives me some time to just be me, in my own home, when nobody else is awake.

Usually, though, I'm the last one to leave the parking lot, my truck absurdly parked far away in the empty space.  I'm just not that good at transitions, at leaving here to go there.  There's always more to do, whether I'm at work or at home, in the library or at a friend's house, and I struggle to let go and move on to the next thing.

Today, in an effort to fight that tendency, I had sworn to myself that I'd leave at our actual, mandated end of work day, instead of the hour or two later I tend to go.  I was actually watching the clock, finding small jobs to do in the classroom that wouldn't waylay me too much, not wanting sneak out early and cheat anyone out of my paid time.  Still, by the time I got my coat on and bags organized, I wasn't the first one gone--there were a few empty spots already.

And now it's seven minutes before the cut-off, and I need to post.  Timeliness will never be my greatest virtue.   So I'll claim this badge with pride: