Traumatically Late
CONTENT WARNING: Mention of animal death, medical gore.
I’m a vet tech. I took off work early one day to go meet up with some friends and acquaintances to celebrate my friend’s and his boyfriend’s engagement. Unfortunately, I was a bit later than planned getting out of work. I texted everyone as soon as I clocked out to let them know I’d be late. I should note here that they all know I work in vet med and that I took time off for the party.
After I got there, one acquaintance was lecturing me over and over and over about how I was late, how disrespectful and irresponsible it was, how it showed I don’t care, etc. She brought it up multiple times, even after people had changed the subject, and others (including the newly-engaged friend and his fiancée) had asked her to stop. She also had a history of lecturing me specifically for every perceived slight or mess-up. I finally hit my breaking point, interrupted her, and unloaded on her (not an exact quote, but the gist):
Me: “I would’ve loved nothing more than to be here on time. Unfortunately for everyone, we had an emergency come in right before I was supposed to leave. The patient had a seizure at home, fell on some construction equipment, and cut himself open. So I was busy holding this dog whose intestines had fully eviscerated through his abdomen, and who was actively seizing right up until he bled out and died in my arms.”
Me: “And of course I was completely soaked in his blood, so I couldn’t just change into the clothes I’d brought with me – I had to go home and shower before coming. I really, really, thought about just cancelling and going to sleep, but I still came because I said I would and I wanted to celebrate [friend and his fiancée] and spend time with friends.”
Me: “I said sorry when I texted I’d be late and again when I first got here. So, I’d appreciate it if you’d shut up and give me some f****** grace. God d***.”
She barely said a word to me the rest of the night and sent me an apology text the next day. I felt bad after the fact for going off on her and souring the mood for a bit, but I can’t deny that it was satisfying.
