Patience

I wish I were given patience. I had a 1pm Zoom call with my physician.

It's 1:046.  No text or email stating running late. Are we still on? How long do I sit here?

I go out of my way to be on time; I wish others felt the same way with time.

It frustrates me so.

I recall when I first met Rick, he asked me something about being on time. I said, Oh, I'm early.  I do not like to be late or keep anyone waiting, so I am generally early.

He smiled and nodded. I assumed that was the right answer for him.

Fast forward a year or two, and I now realize that this man must be very early, or to him, he's late. We were going to a movie. I asked what time he wanted to leave.

He gasped. I laughed. I asked if that was the wrong thing to ask?  He said, "Oh no, I love it. I would like to leave by 7:35p"

You see it helps me to plan my dressing/hair/makeup, etc. 

He was so tickled by this question, he told me about his last girlfriend, with whom he shared an apartment. She was notoriously late.  I knew this already because he told me it was a pet peeve.  Anyway, he and his gal were going to the movies. He told her we have to leave by 7:00pm. The closer it got to 7p he was pacing. He kept going into the bathroom or bedroom where she was and was attempting to hurry her up.  At 7:20p he left without her.  He got there in time to see the beginning of the movie. Only missing about 3-4 minutes. No previews or anything.

I asked him how was it when you got home?  He said, "Oooh it wasn't pretty."

I bet it wasn't!  Oh, I'd be angry too, I told him, if you just left me like that.

He told me that he went into the bathroom at one point and said if we leave now we can make the movie, not previews. She laughed and said 10 more minutes.

He gave her 15 then left.

I see both sides.  I would be so angry at him if he did that to me. But then again, I would never be that disrespectful to do that to anyone. Yes, if Rick isn't somewhere at least 10 minutes before he has to be there, he gets all itchy.  I appease him.

I asked if she ever did that again.  Nope.  I can't believe he did it. I would have exploded if I were her, but he gave her lots of opportunities to get it together.

So I have learned over these decades to never be late or heaven forbid get the gas below a 1/4 tank. Oh my goodness, that can make his head explode.

The gas was in the 1/4 tank zone and about to have the light go on. I have another 2 gallons at that point. I was going to get gas, but that is all he would let me say. "You've gotta get gas, you've gotta get gas, Margaret."

I said, "The light has not even come on, calm down mister."

He got all snarky and said, "How many times have you run out of gas?"

"once"

"Wasn't that a lesson? How far did you have to walk to get gas?"

"You're not gonna like my answer to this."

"Try me"

I ran out of gas in my VW Bug. I was all of 22 and coming from work. I was wearing a mini skirt, heels, and a blouse. I was on the side of the road, and I began to get out of my car to walk to the gas station only a few feet ahead. I wasn't thrilled because the gravel and heels are not a good combo.

As soon as I got a leg out of my car door, 2 vehicles pulled over and asked if I wanted help. Yes, both young men.  One young man drove to the gas station, filled up the can, put it in my car, and refused money. He asked me out. 

I said, "I have a boyfriend, please take the money."  He did. 

Rick said, "Only a woman gets lucky like that."

Yep, we have to have something good once in a while or an advantage. 

So no, I've never had to walk and get gas.

Now today, no one is going to stop and help a white haired ole woman on the side of the road. I'd end up walking and doing it myself. 

I now realize I just didn't appreciate being young.