While You Were Out

We were looking for a babysitter for Thursday. We had a few options,but none that fit quite right. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that of my two, one was going to Florida to teach at a Montessori school for a semester while the other was busy being inducted into the National Honor Society.

Good babysitters that.

But we were in a bind.

As a last resort, I called my mother. Tuesday. She's actually really really good with Ellie as is her husband. I just don't think of them because they aren't "those" kind of grandparents.

She's at work, we talk briefly. She says "Yes, but we'll confirm the details tonight." That night I head out for a knitting circle. The change over from me to Doug took some time. I intended to call her, but alas.

Soon after I got in that night, my husband says
"Oh your mother called"
"What did she say?" I asked.
"Oh we talked about the election. She voted no on taxes, no on pot and yes to get rid of dog racing"
"I mean, what did she say about Ellie?"
"Oh, she'll watch her. I told her you'd call her tomorrow."
"Was that it?" I said.
"Well, that was it about Ellie. But we talked for like 10 minutes. She was fine, she's so funny."

Great I thought. Perfect.

So the next morning I call her office. Into voicemail I leave a cheery breezy message. "Hey,it's me. I'm on my way to the church. This groups going until 11 then I have a pediatrician appointment until 12:30, then likely I'll be getting her down for a nap. Why don't i call you tonight? and hey, thanks again for watching her. We really couldn't go otherwise." etc etc. All casual and nonchalant. Thanks Mom!

That night (and bear with me, there's a reason for this long set up) in comes my husband.

"We all set for tomorrow
"I think so. I mean, I called her and left her a message."
"Good" he said, and left the room, taking his suit jacket off en route. "Cmon Ellie, lets go upstairs and do push-ups"

We get through pushups, dinner, a bum change and some playing before I finally said:
"Oh shoot" I need to call my mother."
It's 9:30 mind you. About 30 hours later from when she called.

"Hey Mom, it's me"
"Oh hi"
"What's up"
"Just laying down. I'm kind of tired"
"I'm sorry, I know you are beat with work. I feel so bad about having to ask you to sit..."
She interrupts "Really, it's no problem. We are looking forward to it"
a few more sentences then
"And I'm going to leave work early"
Now I feel like a shit.
"DON'T DO THAT" I said "My god, I don't want you to leave work just so Doug and I can go out. That's ridiculous"
"Oh it's FINE" she said "I told my boss that my father died. He doesn't know if I'm leaving for that reason or a different one. So it's not a big deal"

????
!!!!!
????????

"Your father died?" I asked.
"Yes. Didn't Doug tell you?"
"No. Oh my god. When?"
"Yesterday"

????
!!!!!
????????

NO. Oh my god no. No Ma. My husband did NOT tell me your father died. No, my husband told me about the election, your day at work, HIS day at work, the pushups he did, how he liked dinner, but no. NOPE. NO-PER. Uh uh. My husband did NOT in fact mention that your father died.

"UM. Honey? Sweetie? Can you come in here for a minute?"
"Sure. What's up"
"..Did my grandfather die yesterday?"

My poor husband. I have never EVER seen him so red. EVER.
Thank god my mother and I have a good sense of humor. I laughed so hard I sat on the floor coughing up 1/2 a lung. My mother told me she had tears running down her face.

"I forgot"

Yes, yes you DID!