I DISAGREE -5minutefreewrite

For: @daily.prompt/14-january-2025-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2617-i-digress

It was a hectic Thursday morning, and my wife, Grace, and I were scrambling to get ready for work. Both of us work demanding jobs, so mornings in our house always feel like a race against time.

As I grabbed my car keys, Grace called out, “John, don’t worry about the kids today. I’ll pick them up from school. My meeting should end by 3 p.m. sharp.”

I stopped in my tracks and raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Grace? You know how your meetings can stretch longer than planned.”

“I’m sure,” she said with a confident smile. “Even if it runs a little late, I’ll manage. You just focus on work.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, but if something comes up, call me early, okay?”

“Of course,” she said, grabbing her bag.

With that, we both dashed out of the house, me trusting that Grace had it all under control.

My day was jam-packed with meetings and calls. Around 4:30 p.m., I glanced at my phone during a short break—no calls or texts from Grace. I assumed everything was fine.

At 5:30 p.m., I left the office, exhausted but ready to head home. As I drove, my phone rang. It was Grace.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Where are you?” she asked, her voice sharp.

“I’m driving home,” I replied, confused. “Why?”

“The kids!” she snapped. “You didn’t pick them up?”

I nearly hit the brakes. “Wait, what? You said you’d pick them up!”

“Yes, but my meeting ran late!” she shot back. “I thought you’d figure it out and go for them!”

“How would I figure that out, Grace? You didn’t call or text me!”

Her frustration was palpable. “You know my meetings can drag. You should have thought about it and gone to pick them up!”

“No, I disagree,” I said firmly, gripping the steering wheel. “You promised you’d pick them up. If you couldn’t make it, you should have called me. How is this my fault?”

Grace huffed. “So, you’re saying you didn’t think about the kids at all? What kind of father does that?”

I took a deep breath to keep calm. “Grace, that’s not fair. I trusted your word. If plans changed, it’s your responsibility to let me know. I’m not a mind reader!”

Her voice rose. “You’re their father! Shouldn’t you check in, just in case?”

“No, Grace, I disagree,” I said, my tone firm but calm. “Let’s be honest here. You didn’t communicate. If you had called, I’d have left work immediately. But you didn’t, so don’t pin this on me.”

There was a heavy silence on the line. Then she said quietly, “They’re still at school. Can you please go and get them now?”

I sighed. “I’ll turn around and go pick them up. But, Grace, we need to talk about this later. We can’t let this happen again.”

“No, John, please,” she said softly. “Let’s not fight. How can I make it up to you?”

I smiled, sensing her tone shift. “Ride me when I get home… with your office clothes still on.”

She burst into laughter. “John, you’re unbelievable!”

“Don’t laugh too hard,” I teased. “What I need is a sweet quickie.”

We both laughed so hard that my earlier frustration melted away.