Slice of Life 2026: 17 of 31- Apology

In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

I didn't expect the story I got when I checked in. I expected joy. I expected excitement. I expected a gushing recount. The anger, frustration, and tears didn't match the planned experience. 

As I listened, I wasn't my best self, and I interrupted. 

"Are you sure this wasn't a misunderstanding?"

"Could you wait to borrow so much trouble?"

"You're wasting a lot of anger energy on something you're not sure of."

She assured me she was sure. And now she was even angrier because I didn't validate. 

Even as she kept going with the story and the way things went down, it didn't make sense to me. Could a company really gaslight someone so much? The believer-in-humanity part of me wanted to believe that a misunderstanding would explain a deal that was made and then was taken away. 

No, she assured me, that's not what's happening. 

I guess it turns out, yes, a company can make a deal and take it away. 

When we spoke again, I apologized for not just agreeing that the situation sucked. An easy apology because I felt so bad that the situation happened and that I didn't respond with ultra empathy. 

And, I'll continue to believe in humanity, but with a little more skepticism. Damn. 

Slice of Life 2026: 16 of 31- Umbrellas

In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

We were finishing dinner when Clare looked at her phone and checked the weather app. We were in New Hampshire for an admitted students day. She'd be touring campus and sitting in on classes while I had time to walk around town, maybe hike a little, and do some writing in coffee shops. 

She started laughing. 

"Have you checked the forecast?' she asked. 

I hadn't. I didn't want to hear why she was laughing. 

"We're supposed to get a lot of rain."

"Maybe they're wrong."

Clare held her phone up for me to see. Total rain. 100%. 

"Did you bring anything?" she asked. 

"Nope." I could picture my umbrella on the shelf in the mudroom. 

The two of us walked back to our airbnb (that had the cute outdoor sitting area where I guess I wouldn't be sitting) and found directions to the nearest umbrella-selling institution. 

As we looked over the selection, we debated for the mid-range option since said rain was supposed to be accompanied by lots of wind. 

A store worker was nearby and overheard us. 

"Pretty awful forecast," Clare said. 

"Not snow," she said. "Could be worse." 

True. Not snow. 

And we had umbrellas. 

Slice of Life 2026: 15 of 31- Old friends and shared wavelengths

In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

After a catch-up walk, we sat down at the restaurant. We'd met earlier than planned because we both had afternoon commitments that bordered our long-standing date, and I was proud of us for both holding firm with the carved out time. As we had walked, we'd realized that it had been over a year since we'd seen each other, and K is one of my dearest and oldest friends. In an earlier post, I reflected on time. No, time isn't fast, and it isn't slow. It's always the same. It's the pace of my life that makes it feel different. 

In any case, I glanced at the menu and made a quick decision. I was hungry, and a burger sounded great. K. muttered something about a salad, and we went back to life catch up. We had a lot to cover. Even though we don't talk as much as we should, time and distance haven't gotten in the way of our wavelengths. Our lives have so many parallels, and it's joyful to spend time together. Old friends have a way of picking right up from wherever we left off. 

The waiter came over. "We have a few specials," he said. 

As he went through the shrimp soup, quiche of the day, and omelette ingredients, I stayed true to my burger plan. And then he described the salmon burger. 

"I'll have that," I said. 

"Me, too," K. said. 

Of course she would. 

Old friends and shared wavelengths. 

Slice of Life 2026: 14 of 31- Late Night Pickleball

 In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

"How about one more game?" Lexi asked. "I'm rounding up the Meehan girls."

 It was after ten on a Friday night, and Lexi and I had just finished playing one last game. Clare and Cecily were hanging out with other team members, shoes off, ready to go home. I stayed on the court as Lexi approached them with her charm. I knew they wouldn't be able to resist. Lexi is a few years older than they are, and she has especially taken Cecily under her wing. She's Cecily's favorite person to play with. 

"They're in," Lexi said. "They're lacing back up. We're taking them on."

The match started, and Lexi and I surged off to a hefty start. On the other side of the court, Clare and Cecily weren't smiling. In fact, they might have been frowning and rolling their eyes. 

"Are they okay?" Lexi asked. "They look like they're going to kill each other." 

I wondered if Lexi had a sister. 

"They're fine," I said. 

We won another point. 

The storm clouds got lower and grayer on the other side. 

"Should we just call this?" Lexi asked. "We don't have to play."

"Nah," I said. "They'll work it out." 

When we changed sides, Lexi and I were ahead 11-6, needing to get to 21. 

"Let's finish this off," she said to me. 

On the other side of the court, the girls were conferring. I didn't need to ask them what they were saying. Have I mentioned that Lexi is a VERY good pickleball player. 

Play Mom, I could almost hear them saying. All balls go to Mom. 

For the next several points, a lot of balls came to me, and a lot of points went to them. #wellplayed

The mood got a little lighter, even though the time got a little later. 

And at the end of the match, they were on the winning side.

"One more match?" I joked. 

NO way. 

As a mom, I'm proud of these women. If I'm going to lose to anyone, I love losing to them. 

Slice of Life 2026: 13 of 31- Degree Appreciation

In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

I had already done the "what did I forget" inventory and noted a couple of key things (cash and business cards... I could live without them), but I didn't realize I'd forgotten deodorant until I went to get dressed. What an imperfect thing to forget given the fact that I was presenting in the afternoon. I'd definitely need some. 

At the front desk, I asked the woman where the nearest store was where I could buy some deodorant. 

"I got you, honey," she said, handing me a small container of Degree. 

Crisis averted. 

Then, I headed across the street to the convention center. The stream of people were a 50/50 split of men and women, and everyone was in business casual- first clue that I wasn't in the right place. And then the banners were touting a pharmaceutical company. Clue #2. 

I looked around for someone who worked there. Worker #1 didn't seem to speak English. Worker #2 had no idea where the Plain Talk teacher conference was. 

Thank goodness for that hotel lady and Degree. 

I called Dan, the only person I knew at this conference. 

"Where is this?" I asked. 

He laughed and explained where I had to go. It turns out that the New Orleans Convention Center is really big, and it hosts several conferences at a time. Noted. 

The rest of the day went without Degree-testing moments, and I was happy to toast the day with Patty McGee who arrived around five after a much more harrowing travel experience than I'd had. 

Slice of Life 2026: 12 of 31- Airport Anxiety

 In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

Travel days have a way of heightening any anxiety I may already be feeling. #airportanxiety

Cecily drove me to the airport, and I spent the first few miles mentally reviewing what I'd packed and what I'd forgotten for quick trip to New Orleans. I'm presenting on my new book, and guess what I forgot? A copy of my new book. That's okay. Corwin will be there. I can get a copy. And this conference allows ZERO self-promotion any way. I also forgot cash. That's okay. Venmo covers tips these days, and I shouldn't really need any cash. It's sort of a security blanket these days. 

Still that naggy forgetting feeling... 

I arrived at the airport with plenty of time since my mother had been sharing dire reports about long lines at security. I whizzed through the TSA line, and I even knew to let them know about my titanium knee, so we didn't waste time with me setting off the walk-through alarm. I went straight to the spinny thing and placed my feet in the yellow footprints. 

Once inside the airport, I debated wine or coffee. Wine sounded great, but I had a lot of work to do. I got coffee and treated myself to an iced lemon cake since I'd made the better decision. 

I found myself an end seat in the airport with a plug next to it, and I placed my backpack strategically next to me to discourage anyone from sitting too close to me. (Apologies if you're reading this and wanted that seat!) Then, I finished the reports I had to do, wrote a bunch of emails, scheduled some slice calls... thanks Starbucks! (A better choice, right?)

Anxiety diminished until a lady with a cough sat down next to my backpack. Traveling. Tough to have a relaxing travel day. 

Slice of Life 2026: 11 of 31- Dinner...Delivered

 n March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

I'm not very good at saying no. 

On Tuesdays, I have a pretty full tutoring line-up. I have a 2:30 student, a 3:30 student, a 4:30 student, and a 5:45 student, all in person. When I made that schedule, I figured I could use the bathroom at 5:35. So far, that is working out for me. 

Every other Tuesday, I have a California client. It might be late for me, but for her, 7 ET is the perfect starting time, so Tuesdays, as planned finish up around 8. 

Except when I get an unexpected text from a parent. 

Remember, I'm not very good at saying no. And I also love these twin girls. 

Garth was already on dinner-making duty, planning to have a burger ready for me when I got home late. I texted him. 

I wasn't positive about his meaning with Ok, and I didn't have time to clarify it. Was it "Ok" to being late? Or "Ok" to bringing me dinner. My office is 18 minutes away, so it's not a small request. Just as I was finishing up with my California girl, he walked in and set a plate down on my table. (I should have snapped a picture for a slice, but I think I was too hungry at that point.) 

Luckily, Garth isn't good at saying no either. :)