I grabbed my lunchbox and I weaved through the parking lot.  It was Monday.  Meetings awaited me.  Internally, I readied myself.

Approaching the crosswalk, I looked up.  A car slowed to let me across.  I hesitated.  What if the car leapt into the crosswalk and flattened me?  Nope, it’s Monday.  I would rather not test my luck.  I waved the car across.

The car however stayed put.  They really wanted me to go.  I waited, just to be sure.  A long pause.  Fine, I took a step into the crosswalk, which happened to be simultaneous to them heading into the crosswalk.

The car slammed on the breaks from their half-a-mile-per-hour speed.  I retreated to the curb.  Ah, an intense game of politeness chicken.

I bashfully glanced at the car.  The driver waved me across.  Fine, I would go.

I trotted across the asphalt.  Safely reaching the other side, I looked back to give the driver a friendly “thank you wave.”

That’s when I saw the driver, a face I knew well.  My boss.

Reaching the desk, I prepared a draft for my next performance review.  “How I promise to be more decisive at work (especially in the parking lot).”