I get up at dawn, a habit left over from the days when I trained nonstop. It’s late spring, so that means 5:30 a.m. in Chicago, enough time for a long, lazy ride before work. I fish around in my closet for a jersey, shorts, and shoes, and head down to the ground floor of my townhome where my stationary trainer is set up.
I love the trainer. It syncs via Bluetooth to a tablet on the handlebars of my DeRosa road bike, which in turn gives me access to hundreds of virtual rides streamed over the internet. Of course, I miss the days when I could take bicycle rides outdoors, but the trainer is the next best thing. Without it, I’d probably end up in the psychiatric ward of the hospital where I work.
I clip in and select a challenging interval program with real time video of a winding road in the Rockies. I can’t see the images, but I follow along in my mind, remembering a similar ride I took some years ago. My former photographic memory often keeps me entertained like this.
Eighty minutes later, my muscles are drooping and I’m covered in sweat, but I feel great. I bring the pedals to a halt and check my stats before dismounting and toweling off. Then it’s upstairs to the kitchen for breakfast.
After the workout I’m craving protein, so I decide on bacon and eggs. Modern appliances can be a pain, but my friend Josh helped me put tactile markings on the controls with a 3D pen. I put the tea kettle on to boil, pop the bacon in the microwave, and whisk some eggs together in a measuring cup. While the eggs are cooking, I test their consistency every so often with a finger. That and the aroma tell me when they’re ready.
I wolf down the food and head up to the third floor to dress. After shaving and showering, I pick out a sport coat and slacks. I can tell most of my clothing apart by its shape and material, but when it’s time to select a matching shirt and tie, I play it safe with the color identifier on my smartphone. My phone also has apps that can read menus, signs and the value of paper currency to me.
Before heading out, I stop to grab a white cane from the umbrella stand by the door. After three years, I’ve acquired a hefty collection, all minus the silly red stripe. I’m walking to work that morning, so I choose a rigid one that comes up almost to my nose. The long reach helps me to spot obstacles in my path without coming up short and spearing myself in the chest.
I’m not testifying in court that morning, so I head straight for the office, twelve blocks away. I’m happy when I make it all way there without being accosted by a stranger. Hardly a week goes by without one of these Good Samaritans locking me in a chokehold to “help” me cross a street. They’re lucky when they only get an earful in return.
I arrive at the office to find my assistant, Yelena, gone. I’m not surprised. Mondays are her manicure day. Our relationship is nothing like Perry Mason and Della Street. I should fire her, but then I would miss our verbal sparring.
At my desk, I switch on my computer and listen to my email with my screen reader until my first appointment arrives. She’s not at all bothered by my disability. In fact, she rather likes it, a feeling I attribute to the reason she’s in therapy.
“Hi Doctor Angelotti,” she says. “Are you looking at me?”
It’s always the first thing she asks.
“No,” I say. “Shall we talk about that?”
She giggles and we get started.
All in a morning’s routine for this blind shrink.
You can read more about Mark in Dante’s Dilemma, the third book in the “Mark Angelotti” crime series, published by Seventh Street Books. The first two books in the series are Dante’s Wood and Dante’s Poison.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on August 26 for the chance to win a print copy of Dante’s Dilemma. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.
Meet the author
Lynne Raimondo is a full-time writer and the author of Dante’s Wood and Dante’s Poison, the first two Mark Angelotti novels. She formerly worked as the general counsel for Arthur Andersen LLP and later as the general counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue. Visit Lynne at lynneraimondo.com, on Twitter or on Facebook.
I want to read this book.
New author, new series. Sounds really interesting.
I love this series. I love that it has the main person have a physical challenge and how he deals with his blindness but can accomplish anything. Thanks for the chance to win.
Different concept – I definitely need to add this book to my TBR pile. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. kuzlin at aol.com
A blind shrink — a novel idea! Thanks for a chance to enter.
Sounds different , will be on my TRL
This is a new author for me and this book sounds interesting. Thank you for this opportunity and introducing me to another author (and adding another book to my TBR list). 🙂
Lynne gets it right in so many ways!
This looks very interesting. I should read the 1st 2 also.
Always looking for new-to-me authors. Sounds like a good series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Thanks for this intriguing and wonderful giveaway. Sounds fascinating and unique.
I’ve loved all three books. Already have them all, so don’t pick me. 😉
Once again Dru you have introduced me to a new author and series. From your intro I have been intrigued enough to add this book and author to my to be read list. Thank you. robeader53@yahoo,.com
Wow, so many books and you sure find the right ones. /would love to win and read this book and the other 2 in series
Another new to me author and another series to put on my t-b-r list!!
Would love to read Dante’s Dilemma – sounds like a great series! Thanks for the giveaway!
How great is this! Would love to win this one. Thanks Dru.
That sounds really interesting.
What an interesting post. I want to know the backstory.
A world of thanks to everyone who has commented so far and to Dru for giving me this opportunity to meet new readers! You can find all three of the Mark Angelotti novels on Amazon, B&N, your favorite independent bookstore, and in many public libraries. My character does have a big backstory — to be fair, you’ll find he’s no saint — but many folks in the blind community have told me his portrayal is very accurate. I hope you’ll like the books as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them. The fourth in the series, tentatively titled Dante’s Regret, is scheduled to come out in the fall of 2016. I love hearing from readers, so don’t be shy about sending me comments.
A world of thanks to everyone who has commented so far, and to Dru for giving me this opportunity to meet new readers! Mark Angelotti does have a complicated history — though I think it’s only fair to warn you he’s no saint — and many folks in the blind community have told me his portrayal is pretty accurate. You can find all three of the books on Amazon, B&N or at your favorite independent bookstore, as well as in many public libraries. I hope you enjoy the books as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them!
Oops! Didn’t mean to leave two comments! My computer froze, so I thought the first one didn’t go through!
This is a new author me and this book/series sounds interesting. Definitely need to add to my tbr list. Thank you for the contest.
Sounds like an interesting read–I’ll have to add this series to my list.
This certainly is a unique sounding series and I am afraid that this seems to be the first real introduction to these books. They sound like books that both my husband and I will read and I like when we can both read the same book and then comment to one another about them afterwards. It is like having my own private bookclub at home!!!! Thank you for the chance to become the recipient of this book.
Cynthia
Sounds fascinating. I appreciate the chance to win.
I’d love to win! This book sounds great. I’m also eagerly following this new publisher – I’m very impressed.
This is a new to me series. Looks interesting.
Thanks
This would certainly be my first book about a blind shrink. Looking forward to it.
Love the whole idea, would love to read this one, thanks Dru for the introduction to another interesting writer.
A new-to-me author/series…..
Thank you for the giveaway…..