TIME

 “Please hold while I connect you with your party.”

There’s a click then a booming male voice on the line.

“This is Father Time. How may I help you?”

“Uhhh . . . ,” I hesitate, feeling my resolve running into my shoes.

“Come on young man! I don’t have all day.” He chuckles at his own joke.

“Well, the thing is, I’d like to request, if it’s not too much trouble. Four extra hours in the day tomorrow!” There. I said it.

“Who is this?”

“It’s James Tate, sir. We’ve spoken before.”

Shuffling paper. “Yes. I see here where you called just two days ago. And now you are asking for another EOD?”

“A four hour Extend of Day, that’s correct. Just four hours.” I cross my fingers.

“You know we have a strict policy about how many EOD’s you can have in a year.” More paper shuffling. “Says here this is the fourth time this month. Not sure I can give you another. You can get addicted to these, you know?”

“But sir, you don’t understand. It’s not for me.”

“Well, who’s it for, Mr. Tate?”

I take a deep breath and just say it. “It’s for my wife, sir. She’s been very busy. I know she could use it and our anniversary is coming up and I just thought . . . “

“Whoa there. You know that is against policy. You are not authorized on your wife’s account. I don’t think I can help you without her consent.”

“Please, Mr. Time. Just this once?”

“I’m sorry. But there’s nothing I can do. What if I gave EOD’s to just anyone who called up? It wouldn’t be long until I wouldn’t have a job. She’ll have to call in herself.”

My heart sank. But then an Idea came to me.

“What if I give up four hours of mine?”

What do you do with your time?