I was looking forward to my vacation, a 2-week Caribbean cruise, but was a bit worried about leaving my aging cat Sylvester. My younger sister Pam, who's also a cat-lover, had recently lost her job and was back living with our mom, so I knew she'd provide Sylvester with loving care in my absence.
I couldn't get Sylvester out of my mind during my flight to Florida, so before boarding the cruise ship I phoned my sister to check up on him:
Me: Hi, Pam. How's Sylvester doing?
Pam: Sorry, sis, but Sylvester died.
Me: OMG Pam!!!! WTF??!!!! How could you break such horrible news to me that way!!? You just ruined my whole vacation!! What were you thinking!!???
Pam: I'm sorry, sis! I didn't know how to tell you.
Me: You know how badly I needed this vacation, and I told you I'd be calling every 2 days to check in on Sylvester. You should have told me "Sylvester's on the roof and I can't get him down." Then the next time I phoned you could have said "He jumped from the roof to the big elm tree. He's up there pretty high, but he seems okay, and I'm sure he'll come down when he gets hungry." I wouldn't be overly concerned and could enjoy my cruise. By my third or fourth call I'd be somewhat prepared for bad news, and it would be nearer the end of my vacation. THEN you could have told me Sylvester had died! You just don't smack a person in the face with such bad news just as they're leaving on vacation!
Pam: I'm sorry, sis! I just didn't think it through.
Me: I know. It'll be okay. I'll deal with it. Let me talk to mom a second.
Pam: Mom's on the roof and we can't get her down.
I couldn't get Sylvester out of my mind during my flight to Florida, so before boarding the cruise ship I phoned my sister to check up on him:
Me: Hi, Pam. How's Sylvester doing?
Pam: Sorry, sis, but Sylvester died.
Me: OMG Pam!!!! WTF??!!!! How could you break such horrible news to me that way!!? You just ruined my whole vacation!! What were you thinking!!???
Pam: I'm sorry, sis! I didn't know how to tell you.
Me: You know how badly I needed this vacation, and I told you I'd be calling every 2 days to check in on Sylvester. You should have told me "Sylvester's on the roof and I can't get him down." Then the next time I phoned you could have said "He jumped from the roof to the big elm tree. He's up there pretty high, but he seems okay, and I'm sure he'll come down when he gets hungry." I wouldn't be overly concerned and could enjoy my cruise. By my third or fourth call I'd be somewhat prepared for bad news, and it would be nearer the end of my vacation. THEN you could have told me Sylvester had died! You just don't smack a person in the face with such bad news just as they're leaving on vacation!
Pam: I'm sorry, sis! I just didn't think it through.
Me: I know. It'll be okay. I'll deal with it. Let me talk to mom a second.
Pam: Mom's on the roof and we can't get her down.