'I'm late'

Anecdotal. This is based on my first day on a new writing course. Things don't always go to plan so when challenged to write on 'It's the journey not the destination' this is what I came up with.

 I’m Late !

It’s the first day of my creative writing course. First day of term.

I’m early.

Feeling quite smug.

Notebook and pen :  CHECK       Water bottle  : CHECK                 

 Plastic bag : CHECK

Time  9:15     Great , plenty of time to get there,  as much as I need ,allowing for traffic.

Excitement, nervousness and expectations mixed together.

Ready to roll.                 Door keys ?  yes.      Car keys ?  yes? 

Out through the front door and I’m off. I slam the door behind me.

‘ Woaa. No. Haven’t kissed my wife goodbye ‘     I open the door quietly   and make my way to the lounge.  ‘ Bye my love’  I say, hoping that she hadn’t heard the door close.  ‘ Hope you have a good time, ‘ she replies cheerfully.  

‘Bye Joe, ‘  I mutter to my son who is still on the couch surfing the ’net. The  smell of bacon wafts enticingly from the kitchen almost tempting me to stay.

 ‘ Hang on dad,’ Joe suddenly exclaims, ‘Where will you park when you get there?’  

‘ Anywhere I can find in Cathays. Near as possible to Senghenydd Rd. That’s where my course is held.Why?’

‘ Yes,  but most of that area is Residential  parking only !’

Good point, hadn’t thought of that.

‘Can I have a lift back to my flat please? You know I live right opposite the Sherman ‘

True , but looking at his bare feet I wasn’t exactly sure he was what you  might call ready ! I paused,  not sure I wanted  this delay.  On the other hand how could I refuse ?  As he doesn’t have a car  I could  borrow the flat’s parking permit. Free parking and  save time.    ‘OK’ .  I toss him a pair of my old socks. ‘Get those on and hurry up !’ He quickly obliges, shoves his feet into his trainers and jams his laptop into his backpack.

5 minutes later and  I’m at the door , still excited but now a little more apprehensive. ‘Come on. Get in,’ I shout impatiently. This time I remember my farewell kiss and cheerio for my wife as she stands at the door to wave.

On my way at last. I choose the best route from  my own  inbuilt ‘satnav’  but soon run into  traffic problems  on the busy North Rd. 

‘Relax,’ I tell myself , ‘Can’t alter a thing by fretting.’

I gaze up at the clouded sky, noticing for the first time that it was actually a fine day, a bit grey perhaps but dry and the sun at least  trying to burst through. I continue along Maindy Rd and soon arrive outside Joe’s flat.

 I look at my  watch.

 7 minutes till class starts.

Just right. .... ‘Wait here a mo. while I pop in to get the permit from the pinboard’ he instructs me .  

After only a few seconds he dashes back to the car . His despondent face says it all.

 ‘Sorry dad, it seems to be missing. Probably nicked by the resident downstairs who.....’

Oh No !!!    I’m late !..........

Author's Note

Not sure of genre. Probably prose. Based on actual event. Finding everyday occurences present many opportunities for writing. So I'm going along with 'Write what you know or feel'
Feedback of this and other posts +ve or -ve ( but helpful) welcome.