The Executive (Part 1)

Metanoia - Chapter 4- Life Path 8

Table of Contents

Character Chart: A Map to the Nine Lives

“We cannot change anything unless we accept it”

-Carl Jung

The way children cling to the most tattered objects always puzzled me. Of course, it doesn’t start out tattered and used. It only gets that way from being dragged around relentlessly. It almost seems as though the more worn out and tattered it was, the greater their attachment. With promise to get a new toy, the child protests, even though its condition diminishes. To them, the object holds some sort of sentiment. Seemingly, the inherent value increases with the amount of time it’s owned, a sort of invisible interest applied with the duration of its juvenile ownership. I don’t know what mechanism is behind this behavior, but the thought lingers in the recesses of my mind when brought to my attention.

“Haz. How am I supposed to check your heart rate when your stuffed raptor is blocking the pulse?”

I brought my face to the same level as his and looked into his eyes. He promptly turned to his mother in response, too shy to respond, clutching tighter to the animated fabric.

“I think that’s the point” the mother said amused.

“Haz, behave, would you?” his mother pleaded.

I let out a sigh and held the stethoscope against the ribcage of his inorganic pet.

   “Hmmm, yes. Sounds sufficient.”

   “My turn!” He held out his arms motioning towards the ear buds. I gave him one while keeping the other in my ear.

   “You can hear it better if you turn your head this way” I motioned to the right, distracting him as I placed it on my chest. As astonishment and joy developed on his face, I was able to carry on with the exam.

Haz, now in good spirits, and his concerned mother were ready to leave my exam room when his mother suddenly pulled me aside.