Anticipation Day

The buzz of the insects around him brought him back to his childhood and his fascination with bees. It made him feel connected to Mother Nature, even if Mother Nature was an absolute bitch sometimes.

So, after returning to Sydney for the holidays in December and finally spending time with his family through the New Year, Joshua was tasked with the unenviable clean-up that awaited outside of his house.

He was up on a ladder, pruning one of the large sillyoak trees while listening to his favorite band, Audiozine, when his virtual assistant, Sylvia, alerted him to an incoming call.

“Joshua, Claudine Shanley is calling. Would you like to answer it?” Sylvia asked in a deadpan voice that sounded like his mom’s.

“Yes, Sylvia,” Joshua replied as his heart started racing.

“Hi, Claudine. How are you doing today?” He asked as the call went through.

“I’m good, Joshua. Dealing with a snowstorm here in D.C. today,” Claudine said from halfway around the globe. Luckily, technology had improved so much that her voice was as clear as if she were sitting next to him in his yard. “How are you?” She asked.

“Oh, I’m okay—just trying to clean up my yard, which looks like the friggin’ Amazon. The one downfall of traveling the world for the past few years is that I haven’t been able to spend much time with my garden. It’s slightly depressing. I’ll get it cleaned up, but it’s going to take a Herculean effort at this point. Anyway, I’m sure you didn’t call to talk about gardening. What’s the good word? What is it, 9 p.m. in Washington?” Joshua asked, wiping his brow and grabbing shade beneath one of his larger acacia trees.

“Yeah, it’s late, but I just got some news I figured you’d want to hear. I hope you’re sitting down in your garden.” Claudine paused, as if waiting for Joshua to confirm.

“I’m not, but should I be?” Joshua’s voice seemed hesitant.

“You definitely should be. So, I just heard from Bob that we have the votes in the Senate, and they’re voting on it on Monday. Barring a nuclear bomb going off in Washington, this should head to the President next week for his signature!” Claudine’s voice was filled with delight, making Joshua smile instantly.