The Summoning

Yes. I tricked you with the title of this post. No, I did not experience a traumatic horror-movie-like ordeal today. But it was close.

I got summoned for jury duty.

When I got that ugly, white, too-official-for-my-taste envelope in the mail, I could already feel my stomach churning. Why me?? What did I ever do to deserve such a horrible adult-like responsibility??

Hint: I got older.

I drove there this morning with a hollow feeling in my chest. As i have detailed before, I do not like this whole concept of growing up. But I dragged my Bug into the Third District Circuit Court parking garage at 8:30 in the morning. Parked next to a man clenching official papers and a set of car keys belonging to a blue sedan in his fist. I stepped out into the rain and marched up the steps.

And then I stood by the doorway dumbly not knowing what to do next as people handed over their bags and passed through metal detectors. Honestly, I stood there for about thirty full seconds before a police officer told me which way to go. But when I got lost, they were helpful. Maybe it was because of my pliable, young, innocent appearance (KIDDING), or maybe they just aren't as crabby as I imagined they would be.

And then I got to a room, signed in, and sat at a table for the next six hours, keeping myself entertained with homework, a book, and my journal. And I sat. Watched an old video about jury duty. Sat some more. Waited to be called.

I was never called. No one was.

I am okay with this. I would have hated to miss another day of class because I am a nerd.

All in all, this was a new experience, albeit a boring one. Also somewhat relaxing and even a little interesting. I like to people-watch. I guess I really need to relax. Stop giving myself stress pains and nightmares over things that so many people have to do, things that really aren't a big deal. I suppose I have to grow up, at least for appearance's sake, and doing things like this is part of that.