Meltdown Timetable

We sisters are ready to head off to the basset trials in Virginia. The family decided on a 4 pm departure. Bags loaded, we start the waiting. 4:20 - Daddy starts the washer. Mommy hauls her overflowing blue duffel bag, filled with the clothes from last fall's trip. 5:00 - we take it upon ourselves to move Daddy’s clothes to the dryer, he is no where to be found. Mommy starts cleaning the house for the first time this year. 5:30 - Frolic, impatient, jumps in the open doors of the truck, ready to wait us out. Mommy calls Aunt Karen, won’t she give the cat his diabetic shots? 6:00 - Mother’s panic sets in, she threatens not to take us, MAYBE tomorrow. We’re getting bitter. We control ourselves, avoiding meltdown. 7:00 and getting dark - Mother tries to find the key to a house we haven’t locked in years. Daddy reemerges. We load the hounds, coerce mother out the door, gather in the van. Oh wait, we forgot the dog dish. Mother returns to get it. 7:05. 7:10. Libby fetches her, exasperated. Mother relocks the keyless door. We leave. It’s eight o’clock.