two parcels

the first parcel had been, supposedly, received 11 months ago.  documents processed for at least two days, an airplane ride away.  i was promised delivery by courier, and waited, patiently, through 11 months.  no reply.  called long distance etc.  meanwhile, the office went ahead with things and so it appeared the parcel had been received.  until i personally checked to make sure.  there was nothing.  retraced steps personally:  airplane, inquiries.  yes, the parcel was sent.  the young lady searched the files:  in a packed drawer in a steel cabinet, in a pile of brown folders on a table, etc.  she produced a trace in a card:  yes, it was sent months ago.  she typed the code and printed electronic proof:  yes, the computer does not lie.  the parcel had been sent, and received (supposedly) 11 months ago.  the electronic trace gave a name.  i called the name.  hi, do you remember receiving the parcel on this date?  the name denied.  no, i did not receive anything.  less than an inch away from literally saying are you accusing me?  i ran my fingers through my hair.  there was no use arguing or pushing when the next words wouldn't be good at all.  okay, i tell myself, what would be the point of arguing and the prize of winning it?  the documents are still lost.  lost in the jungle of the name's working place.  sigh: to retrace the steps, to book another flight, to process the documents again.

the second parcel was received yesterday.  Gloria, who must be feeling partly responsible for the lost documents, was excited: she sent me sms and walked with me the moment i arrived at the office.  your documents have arrived! she said.  the odds are.  one look at the sender and.
the second parcel was expected: i was informed i was to receive it within the week.  still, it is a happy thing.  the second parcel of papers.  with all the copyediting marks of the hardworking copyeditor who must've wondered why there were too many absent punctuations.  why subheadings and titles are in small letters.  i will have to begin writing stet after stet after stet.  the note enclosed in the parcel said a cover artist has been assigned and i sent email that i've asked someone to do it.  that she is in muscat/masqat, oman may need to be discussed.  in the meantime, let's see what can be done.