Postal

Story Submitted by Clarence:

Mary and I were due to meet up for our date right after our respective workdays.  I had pulled a few strings to ensure that I would be out on time (as my bosses had a habit of keeping me up to an hour late some days), and we set a time and place.

At around 4:30, Mary called me and said, "I have to make it to the post office before it closes.  When will you be done at work?"

I told her, "Around five, but if you need to go to the post office first, then do that.  I can meet you elsewhere or a bit later, if that helps your schedule."

To that, she said, "Eww.  You don't make my schedule for me."

"I didn't.  I was trying to be accommodating."

She said, "Whatever," then hung up.

A minute later, she called back and said, "I'll meet you at 4:45 in the lobby of your building.  Don't be late."

I replied, "I can't promise that I'll be out before five, but I'll do what I can."

She said, "4:45.  Or I won't be able to make the post office," then hung up.

I don't like being ordered around, but perhaps there was a logical reason behind Mary's stress.  I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.  That day, however, was a busy day in my office (I'm an architect) and despite my best efforts, I couldn't make it downstairs until around 4:55.

When I arrived in the lobby, Mary was there, and she wasn't happy.  As I approached her, she glanced at her watch.

"It's almost five.  I'm going to miss the post office.  Thank you."

I said, "There's one not far from here.  We can make it if we hurry."

"We shouldn't have to hurry!  I laid out explicit plans!"

I said, "Your plans should have included listening to me when I said that I'd try my best to be out at 4:45.  We can stand here and talk or we can try to make it to the post office."

She said, "Again, trying to make my schedule for me.  I'm not really... I don't think this is going to work.  I don't respond well to orders, especially from some hotshot architect.  Maybe the coffee ladies in your office get off on it, but I have to get to the post office."

She hurried off, and I followed her for a few steps before realizing that she was a bitch.  So our evening was over before it even began.  Whatever she had to mail, I hope it was important.