Taking Stock

My partner in an ongoing technical writing project doesn’t like me when I make late editorial changes.

The horses locked in small pens don’t appreciate me smiling in my happiness as I drive by them on my way home.

The frumpy clerk at Lowes is upset with me because of my recent defective product return.

Prabkeerat What’s-His-Face didn’t like me when I told him I understood less than half of what he said when I called for help with a computer.

But the chickadees living in the trees outside my door like me because I feed them crushed walnuts and having them liking me is enough to tip the balance in my favor.

—Mitchell Hegman