I hope nothing important was ruined. Let me know, please.
Seth
Sure.
Me
Leave at noon. Martha can handle five hours.
Seth
Are you sure?
Me
Absolutely. You have a long drive. I can see if someone will let her out at noon if you’d like to leave sooner.
There’s a pause before he answers. He’s read the message, but there aren’t any bubbles bouncing to indicate he’s typing a response.
Seth
I hate to bail like that.
Me
You’re leaving for a good reason, Seth. I want you to be able to save as many of your belongings as you can, and you have five hours to get there.
Seth
Yeah. Okay. If you can find someone, then cool. Otherwise, I’ll leave at noon.
I spend a few minutes reaching out to my neighbors. Since I’m at the front of the bus with my students in the back, I excuse myself for being rude and making a call.
My neighbors just off RDU property are an elderly couple, Alice May and Maurice. They adore Martha, and they’ve let her out for me a few times over the last three years.
“Hello, dear,” Alice May answers.
Her greeting always makes me smile. “Hi, Alice May. How are you and Maurice?”
“We’re wonderful. I’ve met your delightful son. Such perfect manners. You’ve done a splendid job raising him.”
I wince. Right. “He’s great,” I agree. “Thank you.”
“Are you home yet? Such a long trip.”
“Not yet. That’s why I’m calling. Seth has an emergency back home, and he really needs to leave. I won’t be home for another eight hours. Would you mind taking Martha out around noon if you’re not busy? I’ll be home at about five.”
“Oh, of course. Is everything okay?”
“I think so, but he lives five hours away, so I’d like to set him free if I can.”
“I’d be happy to take Martha out, dear. Tell him to be safe.”
“Thank you, Alice May. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, dear. You be safe too.”
I smile. “I will. Thank you.”
