I came back to Miss Cathy’s the other day after running
errands to see a notice that UPS had tried to deliver a package. As I pulled
the “ups-it” off the door I saw that the “No answer” box had been checked. I
had been expecting the package (a pair of cargo shorts from Macys online-nothing
work related or that couldn’t keep but “I wants wat I wants”). I was as
disappointed as a kid on Christmas morning that gets socks instead of an Xbox.
My options for re-delivery were to reschedule (and wait) or
pick the package up myself-not exactly Sophie’s choice but still….
I was pissed because I knew mom had been home when the UPS
man came so there was no reason that the package shouldn’t have been there
waiting for me. I sulked into my room-childish I know but hey, apparently
there’s not much going on right now in my life if a delivery from Macys is what
makes my day.
I realized I was being silly and was prepared to let the
whole thing drop until later that day when Miss Cathy said something that
annoyed me (quelle suprize) so (petty Mr. Pettington that I am) I brought up
UPS. Without missing a beat she sidestepped any responsibility for the missed
delivery like Wonder Woman deflecting bullets with her magic bracelets.
“I didn’t hear anybody knock,” she said dismissively, ”You
know they just tap, tap, tap on the door anyway.”
Funny, I thought to myself, it’s awfully curious that she
couldn’t hear the UPS man knocking on the door in the middle of the day when
old eagle ears could hear me parking my car, walking up the steps and pulling
out my keys when I come home late at night (and she’d been fast asleep).
I found it interesting that she was pleading Helen Keller
when the last time this happened she had a completely different rationale. Back
then she’d taken the position that she wouldn’t go near the door if she weren’t
expecting someone. I tried to tell her that a robber or murderer wouldn’t be so
polite as to knock so chances are whoever was on the other side was harmless-or a Jehovah’s Witness.
Besides, the door is made of solid steel with a New York
worthy Medeco lock so she was well protected as long as she didn’t open it.
I was annoyed about the whole thing but it’s not like I
kicked the cat (and before you forward this post to the ASPCA I’m just joking
and a) we don’t have a cat and 2) I’m still grieving the death of my 18 year
best friend, Missy the cat.
I went about my day and later decided to call UPS to
negotiate how/when/where I could pick up my package without having to wait
another day (heaven for fend I deny the world the sight of my skinny calves).
Soon after I got off my cell Miss Cathy came to my door. “I
have something I need to talk to you about” she said (Never a good opener where
she’s concerned-right up there with the infamous relationship killer “We need
to talk”).
“You know this wouldn’t have happened if you would have
bought that doorbell like I asked you, too.”
So, now it was MY fault-touché, the best defensive is a
strong offense (no matter how offensive).
“I can get it myself if it’s too much for you to do,” she
said, meaning the doorbell-not the package. “I’ve asked you time and time again
and you just ignored me and I know you heard me” Clearly, she was on a roll, “And
I didn’t appreciate when you said, “you don’t need one-no one comes to visit
you anyway”.
Why….I was stunned. First of all I didn’t know what had set
her off since I wasn’t…even…talking…to…her and “bee” I don’t remember saying
anything as catty (or mean) as “no one comes to visit you anyway” (not out loud
at least…I mean, it did sound like something I would say).
Honestly, I don’t remember if I said it or not but that
wasn't the point. She went off and I went to my happy place. I agreed to buy a
new doorbell “soon” and got the hell out as soon as was politely possible.
My trip to the UPS customer center was like being at the
DMV; the line was long and the workers at the counter were surly and lethargic.
An hour later I had my fashion in hand and headed back knowing that I was going
to be getting several more deliveries in the days ahead (what can I say…online
shopping is my new addiction).
The next day I put a post-it of my own on the door that read,
“UPS: Please Knock loud and Knock twice, Elderly inside, Thank you”
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