Monday, March 1, 2010

Running in Pumps

I made a big boo-boo today.  I was in a meeting and lost track of time until a co-worker asked me, "Don't you have to take your son to school?"

"Yes," I said.  "At 12:15."

"It's 12:32."

PANIC!  Danger, Will Robinson!  And then that crazy sqwaking alarm from "Emergency!" AAAh-oooh-EEEEE!

Then mama was slamming her feet into her shoes, jamming her arms into her sweater, and cramming her coat under her arm.

Clack, clack, clack, clack as I speedwalk through the student union so that I don't look like a complete dork in front of the entire student body, or at least the ones waiting in line for food service.

Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp as I climb the steps of terror.  You can see the ground in between the steps and I have a fear of heights, so it was a Major Accomplishment for me to haul up this staircase, right up the middle and without clinging to the handrail like it was a ski tow rope.

Click, click on the tile for the two steps until I hit the doors.

Then SPRINT!  Mama's running across campus in heels.  Mama's running downhill perilously fast in pumps.  Mama gets to the car, does an illegal U-turn while buckling her seat belt, drives three blocks to the sitter's, where an anxiously waiting man-child greets me at the door.

"I'm-oh-so-sorry-I-was-in-a-meeting-and-am-so-sorry-I'm-late!  Let's-get-in-the-car-fast!"  He can get in the car fast because it is still runnning and his door is flung wide open.  Like a good little rabbit, he scurries to the car and into his seat.

While I'm buckling him, he asks in a quivering voice, "How many minutes?"  As in how many minutes before we're late.

"Umm..."  I falter.  He's self-conscious enough that telling him we're late will freak him out.  "One minute!"  I say.

"That's not much time, mom..."

"Nope.  But we'll get there.  It's only five blocks and when we're on time there are always kids getting there after we do."

"Yeah, but everyone's going to stare at me."

"No they won't!  Look -- those kids are late, too!"  I had spied a daycare provider with four kids in tow arriving only a moment before we parked.  "we'll be just fine!  I'll unzip your coat when I unbuckle your carseat and we can take it off before we get into your room.  I'll even carry it and your backpack, so all we need to do is find you name over your hook and then you can play, okay?'

Thankfully, the plan worked and he was in his class a mere four minutes late (my co-worker's watch was three minutes fast). And me?  Well... I'm  not flushed and sweaty anymore and my feet aren't screaming with blisters, so I'll consider that a winning performance.  Whew!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

You deserve a medal. That was an outstanding performance---and in heels! I'm impressed!

Becky said...

Wow, that should be a new Olympic sport!

Roller Coaster said...

Great post!! I can totally picture it. Isn't it funny though what traumatizes kids? My son would LOVE to walk in late to kindergarten every day...then everyone would stop what they're doing to look at him, all eyes on him. What is one kid's trauma is another's 15 minutes of fame!

Clairity said...

I'm impressed. I would've so fallen flat on my face LOL. Thanks for stopping by. Following you now :)

The Old White Barn said...

I know that's a terrible feeling when you're late - especially when your kids are involved. But - I did have to smile of the picture of you racing to get there! Thanks for stopping by today! I appreciate you.
Susan

Xenia said...

Impressive! Moms have so many hidden talents that they don't even know they possess sometimes, don't they?

Thanks for stopping by earlier - to answer your question, I was worried that the people sitting behind my daughter wouldn't be happy about me messing with their tray table when I put the CARES on... but they didn't at all. In fact, one older gentleman opened the tray and positioned the strap for me without a word! Everyone was really nice about it! :)

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

You are amazing. Esp. in heels. I only wear heels nowadays when bribed with chocolate or when attending a wedding. And even then only reluctantly. Glad you made it!

parenting ad absurdum said...

My heart is pounding just from reading - nothing like being late for the adrenaline! Kudos to you, and great description :)

Peryl

Rhonda Schrock said...

You need a mocha, my friend. But not in high heels. As in flip-flops? Bunny slippers? It always brings my BP back down.

Go for it, girl.

(On a whole other note entirely: I don't want you ever to feel like you have to comment on every single post I ever write. I love comments, but let's face it - it's work, keeping up with everyone, and sometimes a post just doesn't strike you. So you have no pressure from me. Just wanted you to know.)

You're a great blogger. Just wanted you to know that, too.