The Roadkill Report: DUST in the wind

8/25/11 – 6:22 a.m.

History was made.

In my near 17 years of service as the delivery driver for DCLS, I have never had this happen to me. Quite frankly, I never saw it coming.

It started like any normal delivery on a Thursday. The loading process at ESA went smoothly as books were packed into crates and flat boxes were stacked on the van shelf for transport.

I climbed into the van and started towards MRL. I took a moment to glance towards the heavens and saw storm clouds rolling in and out. I managed to catch all the green lights and arrived at the fabulous Front & Walnut facility in just under fifteen minutes. (Yes, you can time the lights while maintaining  the speed limit and arrive in under fifteen minutes. I think it’s in a manual somewhere)

I bounced into the administration level and sorted the various routing envelopes. I moved back the hallway and greeted my friend, Lori, before proceeding to the delivery shelves.

And then it happened. One of those “where were you when this happened moments”.  I staggered for a moment before regaining my footing. I stared at the LONE item on the delivery shelf….

A ten-count box of Swiffer refills, with the initials EV etched in black marker on the side.

I have dealt with shelves that had nothing but cobwebs growing on them and shelves that were packed with so many materials, it would make UPS envious. But I have never had a shelves that featured a solitary cleaning item on them. Until today.

I know what you are saying right now. “Annette, how could you handle that? It seems excessive.”

Believe me, my first reaction was kinda like Luke Skywalker learning that Darth was his daddy Daddy issues .

But I have broad shoulders and a growing waistline, so I quickly rallied myself to the task at hand. I gently lifted the little box off the shelf and cradled it in my hands. I kissed it like Timmy Thomas kissed the Stanley Cup this past June and placed it gingerly in the Elizabethville crate. It seemed to stand out amongst its bookish brethren, but that was okay.

The Swiffer ten-count box was delivered to E.V. later that morning with very little fanfare. As I walked to the door, I took a moment to glance back at the little box. Was that a tear I saw trickling down from it’s flap?

NEXT TIME: CAPTAIN AMERICA’S NEWEST ASSIGNMENT