The alarm twittered at exactly 5:22 a.m.

She was already awake, had been since 5:02. There wasn’t really a need for an alarm; anxiety woke her every morning like a well-meaning, but irritating, friend. The alarm was a backup, little more than an annoyance.

She extended a rebellious arm and slapped the snooze button into silent submission. (nine minutes) Just because she was awake didn’t mean she had to get out of bed.

As she waited for the alarm to chirp again (eight minutes), she took inventory of yesterday’s accomplishments – reports submitted, presentation completed, new project initiated, façade of career contentment maintained – and made a to-do list for the day ahead – research project demographics, interview applicants, conduct site visit, suck it up, pay the bills.

She sighed, placing her feet on the floor while casting a longing look in the general direction of her PC. It was an electronic battlefield where security competed with emotion.

Work versus writing. Stay or go.