THE NARRATIVE ARC
I Made a Big Mistake When I Helped Sam Draft His Will
I was only trying to help
Sam worked with me at the library. He was a Vietnam Vet, although he’s not necessarily what you’d picture when you think of “Vietnam Vet.”
He was obese. And short. And snarky.
Sam was hardworking and he had a good heart, but he also had what the higher ups called an “attitude problem.”
We librarians tend to be pleasant and accommodating by nature. Not Sam. If you asked him to do something he didn’t think he should have to do? He pushed back. Hard. He had a stubborn streak a mile wide. And while he was usually courteous to the patrons, his disdain was crystal clear if you didn’t treat him — or the rest of us — with respect.
Sam had been working in the library system for years, but only as a floater, somebody who filled in at any library that needed an extra hand. Whenever a full time job in the system came up, Sam applied for it. But the job would inevitably go to somebody more uncomplaining and compliant.
Of course, this didn’t make Sam’s attitude problem any better.
Sam lived with his elderly dad, who had a lot of medical issues. Sam’s life was centered on keeping his dad alive and well. He monitored his…
