Communicating

I often wonder how my parents survived without cell phones.  I don't know what I'd do without mine.  I can check my bank account while I'm watching a ballet lesson, order from Amazon while  I'm cooking dinner,  and pay bills while I'm on the treadmill at the gym.  Let's not forget that I can use my phone to pay for coffee!  And, incredibly, I have the ability to reach out and communicate with my loved ones every minute of the day. 

Yesterday proved how difficult communicating can be.  The AC in my car was out and I simply couldn't go another hot day without it.  Les offered the use of his car so we dropped my car off at the shop.  I drove him to work, said I'd be back at 4:15, and drove off.  As I rounded the corner of his building, an alarm went off and lights started flashing on the dashboard.  "Warning!! No ignition key!!"  Oh no!!!  Les has a keyless ignition and had taken the keys with him.  I would be able to drive as far as I wanted.  But, once I stopped the car, I wouldn't be able to start it again.

 I slammed on the brakes, turned around, drove back and parked in front of Les' building.  As I dialed his office phone, available options flashed through my mind.  A little background is necessary here.  Les works in a "secure facility."  After he enters two sets of locking doors, he stores his cell phone in a cubby.  Although he has an office phone, I've never yet reached him that way.  Instead, I get the voicemail belonging to the person who used to occupy Les' desk.  It seems that can't be fixed.  In summary, it's virtually impossible to reach Les directly during the day.  I have to leave a message and wait for him to check his voicemail.  So, my options were to desperately try to reach Les or to drive to work so I wouldn't be late and then take a taxi home.  I spent 15 minutes dialing his cell phone and office phone.  In between calls, I pounded on the door.  I examined the buttons on the keypad, hoping to find some kind of buzzer.  Nothing jumped out at me and I was worried I'd set off an alarm.  So, I kept calling and knocking.

I saw lights on in the second floor windows and contemplated looking for rocks to throw.  As I leaned against the car in frustration, I thought about just leaving the car and taking a taxi home.  But, it would have been too late for me to get a substitute and I didn't want to leave my students alone.  As I was about to look up the number for a taxi, one of Les' co-workers drove up and rescued me.  Now, if we had an old-fashioned car that required keys, this never would have happened.

I had a pleasant day and left on time.  Cassie had asked permission to go to Starbucks with a friend.  I hadn't heard from her so I tried texting her.  No response.  I then tried calling.  No response.  I called again.  No answer.  I called home. No answer.  Finally, she texted to let me know that she and a friend had arrived home.  She apologized, saying that her phone had died.  Funny how that phone always dies when I want to reach her.  I pulled up to Les' workplace at 3:58.  I was early.  So, alas, no Les waiting.  Yes, I was dumb enough to try calling.  Of course, nobody answered.  I stood outside until another kind co-worker exited and begged him to fetch my husband.

Later, when Lacey asked about my day, I told her!  Lacey thought for awhile and then said, "You know, Daddy's not really a good communicator - at least with electronics."