Elle Vampa

My mum looks at me expectantly.

“What did your friend say? Because your sister needs to know whether or not I can babysit.”

I heave a deep sigh (which I consider my new hobby, based on the amount of sighs I heave daily) and make a gesture that is best described as an octopus trying to escape eight bear traps at once.

“I don’t know, she says she’s coming, so let’s assume she is. Tell my sister you’ll be there. I’ll be fine.”

I did something stupid. And in doing so, I think my stupidity is about to be followed up by a sequel.

The situation is as follows: about 6 months ago I got tickets for a concert. That is plural, yes. Tickets.

I bought two tickets and basically told my friends I didn’t care who, but one of them was coming along with me.

What at the time felt like luckily, one of them said “okay”, which about sums up the first stupid thing I did: making long-term plans with someone who’s recovering from a burn-out. Because adding to buying the tickets, we also booked a hotel by reason we both live on the other side of the country from where the concert is.

Sounds like a plan, right? I bought the tickets, she booked the hotel. Look at us being all grown up!

Of course, 6 months ago everyone, including herself, thought she’d be doing much better by now. And even though she’s definitely improved, she’s not quite there yet.

When there were about 4 weeks left before the concert, she uttered the dark words: “Before I can go to the concert, Elle, I do have to get my doctor’s permission.”

That is when I called my mum for back-up.

I asked my mum if she’d keep the 29^th free, so at least, come what may, I’d have someone to go with, as my friend scared me into thinking this could become Murder Misery Part Two.

Considering she also likes the artist, my mum agreed.

And of course, as with everything else in life, that’s when my sister called and asked our mum to babysit on the 29^th.

Not wanting to pressure my friend, for every scrap of extra stress is too much for her right now, I waited for her to text me she’s “definitely coming along!” before I okayed my mother to go babysit.

And then… There were road works. And train station renovations. And all kinds of extra stressors nobody wants, but my friend especially can’t handle.

Normally my heart would already be singing by the prospect of this concert, but today all it’s done is sink.

I should have listened to my intuition and not to my friend, I keep blaming myself.

I hear my phone ping. Ready to take in another loss (why not? It’s not like I’m new to this), I look at her text – and feel a pang of surprise.

She’s still coming along?

…

I’ve been upset for nothing??

Well… The day’s not over yet. But it’s full of surprises nonetheless!

(And if tomorrow she still decides not to come, at least The Doom Planner In Me has 3 alternative itineraries on standby.)