Allie has a temper

I’ve wanted to write for quite a while now. I’m enjoying my summer to the utmost. Tom has taken enough time off work to keep me mostly satisfied. We’ve done a little traveling, had some visitors and enjoyed the river to the fullest. And, as always, it’s been a joy having Allie and Ryan here.

Believe it or not I have managed to stay out of trouble for long stretched this summer. Oh now I’ve managed to land on Tom’s bad side a time or two but I’m still standing (if not always sitting). My sweet Allie is a doll and rarely gets herself into trouble but we have a few things in common. Those things include a very low tolerance for being ignored by our men and the tendency to fall into a temper with that happens. Perhaps in the throes of that temper our best judgment does not always come to the forefront.

I do try to stay out of their squabbles. For one thing I love them both so much I always find myself torn. In addition to that, Tom often promises to warm my fanny if I don’t stop meddling. But there are occasions when I get pulled in before I know it.

For some reason the other day Allie got it into her head that she wanted Ryan to take off work and spend the day with her. Although it’s not an official business yet Ryan stays extremely busy with lawn maintenance and landscaping for many in our neighborhood. He has his days, even his weeks, planned out to keep everything running smoothly. So when Allie decided she wanted a day for just the two of them, Ryan didn’t feel like he was at a place where he could just drop everything and indulge her.

Allie is usually a very sensible girl but, when Ryan turned down what she made a very attractive offer, she got mad. I later learned she had hurled some very unkind words his way and stormed off to her home. Allie’s two best girlfriends work days while she has her waitress job in the evening, so they weren’t around to commiserate. Sue was out of town for the day and I was at the dentist. Poor Allie didn’t even have a car at here disposal that day. I really wish I’d been around. I’m sure having a sympathetic ear could have kept her from flying off the handle but as it was, she let her hurt feelings and anger over come her good sense.

Allie’s choice was to head off in the boat by herself. Now Allie’s no more allowed to go boating by herself than I am. This is her parents rule mostly but Ryan agrees with it completely. And as most of you know at 20 your boyfriend’s wishes often carries more weight than those of your parents. But Allie must have been thinking of neither as she roared off in a huff. Having done this on occasion myself I fully understand how she was feeling. But one thing I know for sure – don’t drive off in the boat mad until you see how much gas you have!

I hadn’t been home from the dentist long when I got a call from Allie.

“Cassie! Thank God you’re home. I need help!”

“Gracious child, where are you?” I asked with fear clutching my heart.

“No, sorry, I’m fine, but I took the boat out for a run and I’ve run out of gas. I don’t want Daddy or Ryan to know I went out alone. Daddy will ground me and never let me out on the boat again and Ryan will…”

“Say no more. I have the picture. Where are you?” She had gone a long way. “All right honey, I’m leaving now but I’ll have to go fill our tanks before heading your way. It’s going to be a while. Are you going to be all right?”

“I’ll be fine, but hurry!” She pleaded.

I knew she was in little danger one the water but I also knew the panic she was feeling about getting back without anyone knowing. I was having the gas cans filled, as well as our boat when Tom called as he often does at lunch time.

“Hey Sweetie, how’s your day going? Are you home?” he greeted me.

“No honey, remember I had the dentist this morning. I’m just getting gas now.” I told him, being 100% truthful. How your morning been?”

We chatted on for a while. I knew he would certainly not mind me rescuing Allie but there was no time to get into it over the phone. “I need to go now Tom, I don’t want to be talking and driving. Will you be on time tonight?” After assuring me he would we hung up and I roared off to help my girl.

Allie seemed thrilled to see me. We tied up together and I transferred the gas cans to her. While she was gassing up her phone rang but she ignored it. A few minutes later her phone chimed that she had a text. Sighing she looked at it.

“It’s Ryan.” She acknowledged. “He just said ‘Where are you?’”

Allie texted furiously for a second, looking up at me she said “I told him it was none of his business and that if he had wanted to know where I was today he could have spent the day with me.”

“Are you trying to make him madder?” I asked worried.

“Well you and Sue always say the best defense is a good offense.”

Heaven help her if she continues to use Sue and me as role models. About that time my phone rang. I looked to see who was calling and nodded at Allie’s worried look. I didn’t answer it.

“Come on Cassie we have to get back or my Ryan is going to blister my ass.”

Gratefully her engine began with no trouble and we headed home. As we finally rounded the last bend in the river before home I was in the lead. My heart sank as I saw Ryan standing on the dock. I glanced back at Allie and she nodded to let me know she’d seen him.



I'll be back soon with more of the story.