I'm back after a long summer break. Here's an oldie but a goodie...
Back more years than I can figure out in my head (late 1990's?) Kelsey played on a winter basketball team at the local YMCA. John was one of the coaches so he sat on the far side of the gym with the team. I stayed across the gym, along the back wall behind all the parents in the folding chairs. My boys (and other children) played in the hallway during the games.
I was constantly looking from the gym floor to the hallway trying to watch one daughter and two sons in different areas. I'm watching Kelsey's team on the court when suddenly the building fire alarms go off! Instinct kicks in- John will take care of Kelsey, I have to get the boys!
I turn to the hallway to see Andy standing with the fire alarm trigger in his fingers.
Andy had pulled the alarm...crap, oh crap...oh crap!!!!!!
YMCA staff come running. I tell anyone who will listen that it is a false alarm. I apologize profusely all while turning from salmon, to pink, to red. A crowd has gathered in the doorway from the gym. I couldn't run if I tried. I am mortified, and Andy is clueless.
Apparently the little glass bar that offers some resistance was broken earlier in the week. Without that glass bar, it was very easy for Andy to lift the trigger and set off the alarm.
The firemen came quickly and shut the alarm off. I explain that Andy is autistic and that I had looked away a little to long.
Now here's the funny part...
Just as I am starting to catch my breath- my beloved husband comes flying into the hallway holding little Mike from the armpits.
John: "Would you please watch your son- I'm trying to coach a game in there!"
(He swears he never saw the firemen or staff all standing around me in that hallway)
Amy: I'm sorry, I was trying answer all the questions the firemen have for your other son WHO SET OFF THE ALARM IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!"
(He realized his error, handed me the smallest child and sheepishly headed back to the gym.)
The firemen seemed really understanding after that exchange, and a new little glass bar was put in place. I headed back into the gym with two boys to sit on the floor. John has the van keys so I can't leave his sorry a**. I am embarrassed, shaken and now pissed off at my husband.
Now here is the mean part...
The team was made up of Kelsey's classmates. That meant that 50% of those parents watching the game knew our family very well. I had coached most of their daughters for 3+ summers of t-ball, and a few years of girl scouts. They all knew my boys were a handful.
As I'm sitting on the floor waiting for the game to end- I can hear the whispers and a snarky word here and there. I don't know who is saying what, but I'm certain no one is defending me.
I'm now pissed off at my husband, hurt by the parents around me, and the irate at the person who didn't replace the stupid little glass bar on the fire alarm!!!
Then it happened- that 'one mother' decided to make sure I knew I had messed up big. This woman has known me at least 4 years. At some point I must have offended her because:
She Witch: Amy?
Me: Yes?
Evil Lady: Was that one of your kids who set off the alarm?
Me: Yes, I'm sorry. Andy pulled the alarm, the glass resister bar was broken earlier today.
Snotty Wench: Ooooooh, well how did that happen? Were you watching him?
Me: Yes, yes I was. He was just that quick.
Hag from Hell: Wow, considering he's special and everything.
Now- let me be clear, she didn't say 'special' in a nice tone. She said it like it was the most vile and disgusting thing to flow from her tongue. It wasn't said to offer empathy- it was said to wound. She wounded me more than had she slapped me in the face. She kicked me when I was down- and she knew it.
Here's the moral of the story...
Seven years later, that same 'Nasty Momma' called me. Actually she called me 3 times- I accidentally answered the 3rd time. Her son had been recently diagnosed with Asperger's.
I am proud to report that I answered all her questions kindly, gently and honestly because that was the right thing to do.
(Honestly- I just didn't have the schutzpah to tell her off)
