Nick was in his usual place, waiting in line at the coffee shop before work. Coffee, a bagel, and a quick scan of the news, then two blocks to the investment firm where he served as executive director. The routine was ordinary, reliable, and exactly the way he liked it.

As he moved slowly with the line, phone in hand, he skimmed the headlines about the latest election. Every four years, it was always the same thing. One side predicted doom and gloom, while the other was euphoric. In reality, nothing ever changed. The rich got richer, and so did the politicians. The regular folks just hoped things would not get any worse. Nick’s only worries in life were whether the market would go up or down. He was single, owned his home, and had a nice investment portfolio. His life was free of stress and drama.

As he slowly moved forward, he noticed the workers behind the counter. They all knew him by name and were friendly.

“The usual, Mr. Nick? A toasted bagel with cream cheese and jelly?”

“Yes, the usual,” he replied.

— The story continues in The Call —