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“Damn, she’s blunt. I like her,” Nattie laughs, before taking a sip of coffee, then adding “and she’s basically my new crack dealer with this coffee. It’s so good.”
“Good. I like her too. I convinced her to come with us to the game tomorrow.” I pick at my muffin and check the time on my cell. “Ugh, guys. I’ve got to get moving.”
There are a few groans, but we agree to meet at the stadium tomorrow, and I leave them in the dry bakery while I dart through the rain down to the studio.
I step into the studio, turning on the lights and the sound system as I make my way to my office in the back. I drop my Mary Poppins bag on the couch and sit down at my desk to check my voicemails when I notice the drawer isn’t closed all the way. It sounds silly in my head, but I’m a little obsessive about keeping my desk organized. I can only control so many things in my life, and my office space is one of those things. I never leave it messy. I never leave a drawer open or a paper out.
I glance around the room, and everything else looks fine. Maybe I was in such a rush to get home last night I didn’t notice that I’d left it open.
My black swan is back, telling me, “Of course, you were in a rush. The GOAT was coming over last night for another orgasm-less non-date. Maybe if you’d let him test out how limber you are, you’d be able to concentrate better.”
My white swan tour jetes over and kicks her counterpart right off my shoulder. “Ignore her. You don’t need a man to help you concentrate. He already knows exactly how limber you are. And he can’t be the GOAT after half of one season. Let’s see if the cutie-patootie can win the game tomorrow. Maybe he can be a baby goat after that. Or one of those fainting goats. Those little guys are adorable.”
The chimes over the front door ring, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.
Okay, bring on the day!
Fuck this day!
Four hours later, I’m done.
The kids have been awful. The parents have all had issues today. I had to talk to one parent who was three months behind on tuition, and she managed to tell me off. I thought that was the icing on this shit-tastic day until I locked the studio up in the pouring rain and saw I have a flat tire. And not a little flat. More like sitting on the rim and totally flat.
I officially give up. I’m supposed to pick Tommy up in thirty minutes. It’s going to take me twenty minutes to get from here to there, and I didn’t renew my roadside service a few months ago because I didn’t want to spend the extra money. So basically, I’m screwed.
I jump into my car to get out of the rain and dial Nattie. She picks up on the second ring. “Hey, Belles. What’s up?”
“Nattie, I’ve got a flat at the studio, and I’m supposed to be picking Tommy up. Is there any way you can pick him up for me? I’m so sorry to ask.” I lean my head against the steering wheel and close my eyes.
“Annabelle, stop. It’s not a big deal. I can be there in twenty minutes. Do I go to the same place we picked him up from last time?” I hear the rustle of the couch as she gets up.
“Yes. I’m so sorry, Nat. Thank you so much.”
“No problem. I’ll call you once I have him. How about I bring him back to my house? Just text me when you’ve got the car straightened out, okay? We’re ordering pizza for dinner since the guys won’t be home. I’ve got you covered.”
“Thanks, Nat. I’ll let the school know that you’re allowed to pick him up.” I lift my head and watch fat raindrops hitting the windshield.
“K. Talk soon,” she ends the call.
After I’ve called the school to make sure they add Nattie’s name to the sheet I filled out a few months ago, giving her permission to pick him up, I sit in my car, stumped as to my next move.
Damn it.
I’m far from a damsel in distress, but I have no clue how to change a tire. I spent my teens in New York City. Learning how to change a tire was not at the top of the how-to list when I didn’t even have a car in the city. I didn’t need one. I look up the number for the roadside assistance company and give them a call to see if I can renew my subscription or just get a new one.
No problem, they say.
Easy peasy, they say.
Credit card given and renewal complete, they finally look to see who they can send my way. That’s when they inform me that it’s a two- to four-hour window before someone can change my tire.
Son of a bitch.
Annabelle: Thanks for getting Tommy, Nat. Roadside assistance is going to be a few hours. Can you drop Tommy off here? I don’t want you to have to babysit all afternoon.
Nattie:Nope. I’ve got him. We picked up pizza and are going to watch Brady’s football game on TV. He’s good. I’ll bring him to your house when the game’s over. No worries.
Annabelle:I don’t know what I did to deserve you. But I’m super grateful for you, Nat.
