“Bye, Hannah, see you next time,” my therapist called out as I left physical therapy.
I parked my wheelchair a few feet away from the door to check my phone. I wasn’t expecting any messages. Alarmingly enough, I had four text messages from my caregiver, Autumn, saying that the muffler needed repair. Apparently, she had called mom explaining that she was going to another town to drop off my orthotics while I was in therapy and heard explosive noises. My dad met her in the parking lot and determined it was a problem with the muffler. This is all while I am in therapy where she knows I don’t check my phone.
I get out of the green elevator into a sterile lobby. I’m in the lobby of a medical building with grey carpet and a surprising number of dental offices as well as a number of law offices.
Me: Are you okay?
Autumn: Yes, your parents were of ton of help. Can you Google mechanic shops around town?
I agreed.
Remember, I can’t call them because they would not understand my communication device over the phone. I’m not working with much, but I do find a nearby Midas. I happen to glance over to my left and there is a 90 year old woman on a gurney not doing too hot. Are you serious? Why is that woman in the lobby? This is a normal office building. What is going on?
When Autumn gets to me, she says, “Oh thank God the ambulance is not for you. With the day going the way it is, I would not have been surprised. And the blog is writing itself, isn’t it?”
“My thought exactly. By the way, there’s a woman in the lobby on a gurney, I don’t know why but it just fits the day. That is who the ambulance is for.”
“That’s the cherry on top,” Autumn said with a stunned look on her face.
We drove 10 minutes to the Midas. They were really nice guys, but they did not have the parts. Another location did have the parts which really was a blessing although that place was full of jerks. I went to see if Lyft or Uber had options for accessible vans. They did not which is more frustrating than I can express. Lyft and Uber… do better! Autumn had to pick up her little boy from school. It closed in an hour.
Her aunt who lives close by thankfully was home and could pick him up. I had a red velvet loaf and a caramel macchiato from the Starbucks in the Target for lunch. What a healthy day!
Her little boy came very confused why he was dropped off at Target.
“Mommy, why are we at Target?” The little guy asked.
“We had a long day because Hannah’s van broke down. Hannah bought you a treat. She got you a loaf from Starbucks.”
“Thanks.”
“Least I could do.”
The truth was I felt like crap about what happened. I respect the fact that my caregivers leave at a certain time. This had been utterly out of my control, but I still felt bad.
We finally got home!
“Go home,” I said to Autumn with enthusiasm.
“OK. Are you sure you don’t need to use the restroom?”
“Nope. See you in the morning,” I replied.
I was so tired from problem solving all day. I called Mom. We both knew this was going to be the blog post for the month.
