17....and counting

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

It was going to be an epic night.

I danced in front of the mirror for awhile, turned the lights down low in my room, shut my door, pulled out my laptop and texted Joe and Ken. Spring Breeaaak. Sank into my favorite J brand pants, moved from bedroom to bathroom and back again to make sure I looked good.

I studied my face in the mirror, the way the girl down the hall studies for exams. Looked at myself from every angle to make sure he would like, would think, I’m beautiful. Hair’s perfect. Stretches down to the middle of my back.

Natty, Jess, Mel, they all dropped by, one by one, ready to get ready to go out. No rush. No problems.

My mother called. Loudly. She asked me something. Can’t make it out. Something about finishing, what?? She was always calling my name.

Passed the mirror. Saw the reflection. I looked good, and nodded approvingly to myself. Even winked. I loved the brilliance to my hair, the way it drapes to the side. Maybe I should cut it a little, but otherwise it’s perfect.

The car pulled up. Never getting out of the car, he stood up into the night, straight out of the car seat and up through the car roof, and smiled at me. We all piled in, ready for the city. The top was down, still. It was gonna be a good night.

My mother called again. This time her voice was clear. She said my name.

And then I woke up.

Okay, it WAS a DREAM.

Age wise, I am something after Bombeck, but before Dooce.com.http://www.dooce.com/. I haven’t had an epic night in well, can’t remember what year. Not completely true, but it’s not going into print.

When did this happen? When did the doorbell stop ringing for me to go out?? When did it start that the car honking its horns was for the neighbors’ kids? When did carpooling replace commuting?? Or rather, when did I add on carpooling in addition to commuting, and drop like a rock at the end of the day. When did 6 AM become a part of the morning schedule and not just a number on my clock, one that I would scoff at an hour before, and roll over for more sleep.

Brings me back to the line, it’s never just one thing. (And it never is.) Well, that’s why I am here. Two kids, one dog, okay one husband, a house, a mortgage, and it all adds up to TAKING 6 AM, well, seriously.