I’m getting ready for Friday dinner with friends in downtown Vancouver. Then comes the phone call from our grandson, River. He’s just received a call from his dad who is stuck in rush hour traffic. Dad wants him to pick up his sisters — one at basketball practice at Mac-Arthur Middle School and the other at Marshall Center following swim practice.
“Will you pick up the girls?” River asks. “I have one of the wheels off my car. I didn’t know I would have to pick the girls up.”
Basketball practice ended 15 minutes ago. I jump in the car thinking it’s a good thing I dressed for dinner early. When I arrive at school, I don’t see River’s sister, Sierra. No problem, she has a phone, so I call her: “Where are you? I’m here at school to pick you up.”
“I’m home,” she replies. She hadn’t stayed for practice, and walked home. But where’s River? “He’s in the driveway working.”
“He didn’t know you were in the house?”
“I guess not, although I walked right by him and said hi.”
OK, one problem solved. But the younger girl, Quinn, still needs a pickup, and she has no phone. “Try to get hold of your mom,” I tell Sierra. “I have a dinner date at 6 and I don’t have a way to tell them we’re delayed.” But her mom is not answering.
I head home to explain to my husband that we need to leave now, stop at Marshall Center and hurry Quinn to dress because she’s coming to dinner with us. I text the girls’ mom to explain where her youngest is having dinner tonight.
We hurry down to Marshall Center. Now the girls’ parents are both aware of the situation and are calling. Dad is almost at the Interstate Bridge. I tell him we’ll stay put at Marshall and won’t take Quinn with us if he can get her by 5:50. Mom texts to say she can’t believe all the problems when everything seemed so well coordinated before. She will pick up Quinn at the restaurant.
But Dad makes it to the Marshall Center in time. Great, we can go on to dinner. I tell him to call Mom to let her know. OK, everything is handled. No more confusion or rushing.
Was it anybody’s fault that 10 year-old Quinn had no way home? Mom thought all rides were arranged. Dad rarely faces rush hour so he didn’t allow enough time. River didn’t even know his sister was in the house and didn’t expect to be needed on a Friday afternoon.
Actually, this family does very well considering both parents work, all three kids are at different schools and each one is in a different sport.
We grandparents are lucky to play an occasional part.
