What if it’s all scheduling?

Last weekend, I hung out with my family, and I did something I almost never do: I arrived late.

I missed the train by 30 seconds; due to the Ongoing Situation®, the next train wouldn’t be for 25 minutes; arrival was slated for 5 minutes late. I checked Uber; I would arrive 5 minutes early for an extra $18. I decided to wait, pinged my family group text that I would be 5 minutes late, and ended up 11 minutes late, because of course.

In response to this, I did what I always do when I end up late: I checked my watch, took silent note, and apologized profusely. I was assured that it was okay, that we (correctly) weren’t on a hard schedule that day, that people have definitely been later for things in the history of humanity.

Still, I pride myself on honoring my commitments, by doing what I say I’m going to do, and by not messing around with people. Lateness happens, albeit rarely. Reschedules and cancellations almost never happen. One could count each on one hand and still have fingers left. And when they do happen, they involve lengthy, detailed apologies and comprehensive amends, as if you sent me a calling card to your daughter’s wedding in the Victorian era and I slept through it.