Waiting

I wake up early with a smile on my face.  Today my sister and nephew are coming over for a visit.  There are so many things I have to do before they come.  And on the top of that list is the most arduous task:  cleaning the apartment.

I toss the covers and get out of bed.  Even though I’m excited to have them over, I wish that I didn’t need to clean the apartment.  But it is filthy.  It has been so long since I’ve dusted that I will need a chisel just to barely cover the surface.  And don’t get me started on the bathroom!  The toilet, the sink, and the shower are giant Petri dishes and are so hazardous, I’ll need a Hazmat suit just to get inside.  I can keep on going.  But you get the picture.

I silently chastise myself for letting my apartment get so dirty.  Now I’m working twice as hard to make it look presentable for my sister and nephew.  My forehead is Niagara Falls.  I cannot stop sweating!  But I keep going and I am determined to make this apartment shine.

After a few hours of blood, sweat, and tears, I’m finally done.  I look at my watch and it’s nine.  Perfect! She told me that she would be here at eleven.  I rest a bit and then I go and get ready and wait for my favorite guests to arrive.

Ten o’clock rolls around and I don’t hear from her.  I figure that maybe she’s running a little late and I don’t text her because I don’t want to rush her.  But then it’s eleven and then twelve and I’m beginning to get irritated.  She’s done this to me before.  She tells me she’s coming at a certain time and doesn’t call or text to let me know she’s running late.

As I’m sitting on the couch, I’m a volcano and I’m ready to erupt at any given moment.  I can call her and ask her where the hell she is, but I think it’s her responsibility to let me know what is going on.  I love my sister to death.  But her cavalier attitude, especially towards me, is infuriating.  But I put up with it because she's my sister.

One o’clock rolls around and I explode.  Pieces of my body are all over the apartment.  And I worked so hard to clean it.  My phone rings and my body slowly reintegrates itself.  Alas, it’s my sister Face Timing me.  Once I’m put together, I answer.  She smiles and says jubilantly, “we’re on our way!”  And she turns the phone over to my nephew and he smiles and waves at me.

A half an hour later, I see my father’s car pull up.  Once I see them get out of the car, my anger melts away as my nephew runs up to me and gives me a hug.  My sister also gives me a hug and we head towards my apartment.  And in the back of my mind, I think about how I’m going to ride this same roller coaster the next time she comes over.

Ana R.