Maybe Then...

Chapter 15: if I didn't forget to check

If I didn't hadn't been so caught up in practicing and event,

And I didn't forget to check my schedule,

Maybe then, I wouldn't have gotten into trouble.  

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We made it home just minutes before curfew, and seconds after I stepped into the doorway, grandpa's eyes met mine and stared like he was waiting for me to talk. 

"Hey, Millie!" he smiled. "Good party?"

"Yeah, pretty good," it wasn't a lie, it was a good party, I just felt uninvited.

"Good," he nodded. Silence filled between us for a moment while I raided the pantry and Dan found his way upstairs. I turned back with a box in arms after having settled on goldfish.

I started for the stairs but was stopped by grandpa's descision to finally speak again.

"You didn't drink or anything, did you?"

"Yes, Papa, because I'm totally wasted on juice," I said sarcastically with an eyeroll to top it off.

"

Hey, I'm just saying, sometimes koolaide is as dangerous as alcohol when peer pressure is added to the mix. Just ask the people of Jonestown."

I have him a playful look before shaking my head and chuckling to myself as I made my way upstairs. Oh grandpa, even when he's worried, he still goes along with my humor.

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When I walked into work Monday evening, I was greeted in a way that I did not expect.

"Where have you been?" Zeke said, walking over to hug me. "My grandpa was worried you'd left town to join a cult or become a hippie or something,"

I furrowed my brow. "What is it with men mentioning cults this week? Are they trying to hint at something?"

Zeke looked amused, flaberghasted, and confused.

I shook my head at my own comment. "Nevermind, I'll explain later."

"No, my grandpa wanted to know where you were this morning!"

It was my turn to give a confused expression. "This morning?"

"Yes, this morning! You had a shift until the afternoon, remember?"

My eyes widened as I suddenly realized he was right--I did have a morning shift that went into the afternoon. But there I was, standing in the shop in the afternoon, thinking I was supposed to arrive on that hour, when really, that was when my shift was supposed to be done.

I felt like such an idiot. I was so caught up in the events of the week and band practice that I hadn't made sure that it was the afternoon 'til evening shift. I felt humiliated, and felt like I had been put on the spot.

"Oh my gosh," were the words I managed to spit out dumbly.

I had to think up much more to say when I explained this to grandpa once I got home. And let's just say, he had quite a bit to say in response.

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