Ready Yet?

         

Am          I ready yet?

         
         

"Where are you going this time?" called my wife from the kitchen.

         I zipped my winter coat and replied, "I am going to the store. Merlin is out of cat food. Remember the grocery list you gave me? You said I had to go to the store if I ever wanted to eat again."

         "Since when do you wear your black coat instead of the green one?" I stopped zipping and wondered how she knew I wore my black coat.

         I put on my trapper hat and mittens. "Well, it has been snowing since yesterday, and the wind is beginning to blow. The last time it snowed like this, we had fourteen inches of snow, drifts greater than two feet deep, and the roads were icy."

         Without turning around, "Look in the hall pantry. There is an unopened bag of cat food on the second shelf from the bottom. It is too risky for you to drive. It is much too dangerous for you to drive. Besides, you haven't shoveled the sidewalk or driveway yet. When you hurt your back again, don't come crawling to me for sympathy."

         "I will use the lawn tractor with the attached snowblade for the driveway and sidewalks. My truck has four-wheel drive all-terrain traction, and I put snow chains on all wheels. I have everything under control and ready to go."

         "Really? Everything?"

         Her tone made me go over what I did to prepare myself for going to the store.

         I answered with false confidence, "Yes, everything."

         "Again, really?"

         "Yes," I replied sheepishly.

         "Got the list?"

         I searched all my pockets, "No."

         "Here. Put this somewhere safe."

         "Thank you."

         "Keys?"

         "In your purse?"

         "On the key hook,"

         "Now?"

         "You dawdled too much. It's dark outside. Go tomorrow when it's light."


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