Can We Leave Now?

We were about to leave,
but there was a bit of a problem.

"Come on," I said. "We have to go!"
We were sitting in the car. The engine running.
The trunk packed. 
"Just one second," my mom calls as she jumps out, "I'll be right back.
"Sure," I think. "Of course!"
I pick up my book and start to read. This could take awhile. 
We weren't that far away from New York City. Only like  . . . 5 1/2 hours?
But my watch says 6:30 a.m and we have to be there by 11:30.
That's 5 hours away! Only 5 hours away!
We'll never make it!
By this time my book is in my bag and I am jumping out of the car.
I am running into the house so frustrated.
"What will I say to mom!" I think, "What will I say?"
I turn into the living room. Not there.
I run into the kitchen. Not there.
I check the basement. Not there.
I call, "Mom!" No answer.
I jog up the stairs, more annoyed than ever. 
I sprint down the hall and check my bedroom. Not there.
The guest room, bathroom, brothers room; nowhere. 
"Where could she be?" I think. "Where?"
Then I think. "Of course! Her room!"
I sprint down the hall faster than I had ever run in my life. 
More frustrated than ever before.
"What will I say, how can she explain," I say under my breath.
I don't skid or halt when I reach her door. I bang it open and step into the room. 
"Huhhhh. Shhhhhh. Huh? Oh, Brooke . . . . " my mom trails off.
She lays on her bed half asleep. 
I am practically infuriated. It is now 7:00 and we have to be in NYC in 4 and 1/2 hours.
I don't even know what to say. 
"Mom," I say, my hands curling into fists. "We have to go and you are sleeping. Don't
you realize we have to get to the city in 270 minutes?"
"The city? Brooke? What? I don't understand." says my mom.
"New York City, Mom! What don't you understand"
My mom's mouth falls open. "Oh, honey! I totally forgot! I .I ...I fell asleep. I'm so very sorry!"
"I know you were asleep," I say beginning to soften a little. "But I am really frustrated that you did." 
"Well, I am sorry to say that we will not make it today. But . . . there is another audition tomorrow.
Would you like to go then?" says my mom.
"Oh, thank you!" I say. Fully thawed now.
"I forgive you."

Then we went downstairs and got in the car.
And drove away towards New York City.


 

happy_smiley

VT

17 years old

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