Running Late

‘Shit!’ I cried out as I rolled over to see my alarm clock display 0830, ‘I’m going to be late again!’

I rushed around my studio apartment speedily getting myself ready ‘Only time for a hooker’s wash’ I cried out as I ran a washcloth over my smelly areas ‘I can’t be late again or it’s a disciplinary meeting Doug, the douche from HR.’

I swept up my keys and wallet; grabbed my stuff; I stood before my mirror to brush my tie and straighten my hair. Running for the door, I snatched up my keys and wallet. I opened the door and rolled over to see my alarm clock read 0831 ‘Shit! I’m late again!’

I zipped around my flat ‘No time fore a shower, I’ll grab one during lunch’ I said as I shoved my gym clothes and other bits into my bag ‘I can’t be late again, or it’ll be a meeting with creepy Bob from HR.’

Hurrying as quick as I could; I snatched up my wallet, keys and tie ‘No time to tie it no, I’ll do it on the bus.’ I burst through my front door and rolled over to see my alarm clock read 0832 ‘Babe! I cried to my girlfriend ‘we’ve slept in again.’

I dashed about our flat; making sure to have a really quick shower, my girlfriend came in to brush her teeth ‘We’re going to have to buy a new alarm clock.’

Rushing to the door, I kissed my girlfriend on the cheek ‘I’ll stop by Asda on my way home and sea if they have any’ I replied. Hopefully I would be able to weave in and out of traffic on my Lambretti; I couldn’t be bothered with another meeting with my department head, Judy. I opened my door and rolled over to see my alarm clock read 0833. My wife burst through the door ‘You’ve slept in! Hurry or you’ll be late.’

I sprang out of bed and threw myself in a cold shower. Rushing towards the garage door, my wife handed me my briefcase and her car keys ‘Take my car, it’s faster than your hunk of junk’ she said in jest.

‘Thanks babe’ I replied, ‘I can’t be late today, we have St. Albans coming in and she is apparently in a bad way.’ I gave her a kiss and kissed her pregnant bump ‘see you later’ I said as I opened the door to the garage. I rolled over and stared at my alarm clock; it read 0834 ‘We’ve slept in!’ I cried to my family, ‘kids get up or you’ll be late for school!

My wife had a quick shower whilst I made sure the kids got dressed, it wouldn’t be the first time I told them to get ready only to find them playing Fortnite. I bundled the kids into the car my wife came into the garage with coffee and the morning paper ‘Remember we have to visit your mother after work.’

I started up the car and opened the garage door ‘I know, she’s been in a funk since Dad died.’

The garage door opened up and I rolled over to see the clock read 0835 ‘I’ve slept in again!’

I hauled myself out of bed and looked at the space where my wife used to sleep, it had been 5 years since she passed away after losing her fight against breast cancer. After my usual morning routine I put on my Sunday clothes, checking my tie was straight and my hair neat and tidy. I heard the sound of someone coming in to the house ‘Hurry up or we’ll be late’ cried out Mabel, my next door neighbour.

I greeted her in the kitchen where she had helped herself to my coffee; I didn’t mind that she helped herself, she helped me through the grief and the pain after the cremation. She even helped me scatter the ashes in my wife’s favourite place, the Download Festival.

‘Keep your hair on’ I joked back, ‘it’s not like she’s going anywhere.’

‘That is a terrible joke’ she laughed, ‘I’ve heard funnier from Roy Chubby Brown,’

We chuckled as we drank coffee; yes Mabel had been my shoulder to cry on, she understood the pain of losing your significant other. Mabel’s husband had died when a lorry carrying Stella Artois run him over. We found out later that the driver was high as a kite and as drunk as a skunk. We helped Mabel through her pain; I guess she thought this was clearing the debt.

‘Do you want to visit John before we drive to Donnington?’ I asked, ‘Annie and Marie won’t mind.’

Mabel shook her head ‘No I’m ok’ she said with a hint of sadness in her voice, ‘I visited him yesterday before I went to my weekly senior’s swim session.’

I took our cups to the sink and turned to Mabel ‘It’s your turn to pick lunch this week, where we going?’ I asked.

Mabel smiled ‘Alejandro’s.’

Alejandro’s, the restaurant where Mabel and I had our first “date” last year. We hadn’t intended on becoming romantically involved but at our age companionship means a lot. To us it was a second chance at happiness. Silently we made our way to the car, I grabbed my keys, my wallet, and the single Lotus Flower from the sideboard, I opened the door and.