1. The Usual Commute
People are sorry that I have commute to Bastrop to teach. How unfortunate, I imagine it goes, that he must drive so far.
But here’s the thing of it. There is time, and there is space. Yes, it is farther than I have commuted before, but it is briefer than the drive to northwest Austin. Time trumps space. With seventies and classic rock added, I confess I enjoy it.
But let me tell you about Friday’s commute home.
2. Day’s End
School was over. No students remained. Nor many teachers.
This is not new. On any day after school, I am one of the stragglers. My routines are not yet honed into the well-oiled machinery of experienced teachers. They dash home. I linger to pull together tomorrow’s things.
But this was Friday on a long weekend. My brother and I had plans. Although I did have a few loose ends, I was hurrying to wrap them up. I had a flight to catch
I left my room mere minutes after the kids.
3. The Unusual Commute
I walked across the teacher’s lot. Got in the car. Turned left at the traffic light. Drove to the airport parking lot. Scanned my QR code at the entrance. Parked in F85. Took the shuttle bus to the terminal. Waited at security.
I went to Gate 15. Found a seat in the waiting area. Charged my phone. Read a book. Boarded with the B group. Found a seat. Buckled in. Barely slept. Checked my phone when we arrived.
And I discovered that my connecting flight to Chicago had been cancelled.
I talked to customer service. Looked into rebooking once the weather cleared. Declined their offer to book me two days later. Talked to my brother. Talked to the fair and industrious Trudy. Decided that the winter storm had scuttled this three-day vacation. Returned to customer service. Arranged a flight home.
I went to Gate 4. Found a seat in the waiting area. Charged my phone. Read a book. Boarded with the the C group. Found a seat. Buckled in. Barely slept. Took the shuttle bus back to the lot. Got off at F85. Scanned my QR code at the exit. Turned right at the traffic light. Drove home.
The lights were on. The dogs were wagging their tails. Trudy was waiting there with open arms. It was almost midnight, but I was finally home.
It had been a seven hour commute.