The Saddest Story Ever Told

Friday
3:15 p.m.
I wonder if it will rain tomorrow. Looking pretty gray outside right now.

9:00 p.m.
Weather.com says thunderstorms starting at noon on Saturday, which, incidentally, is precisely when the boat race will start. Hmm.

Saturday
7:00 a.m.
Now the storms are forecast for 1:00. Maybe we can make it...

8:30 a.m.
The hour-by-hour report says 2:00 now! Things are looking up.

9:30 a.m.
Torrential rains begin. To make things worse, my car appears to be leaking oil, and I have to go to the Toyota dealership before I drive anywhere else.

10:30 a.m.
I'm at the dealership now, and it will be an hour before my car is ready! So now I'm the person sitting in the showroom with two orange life jackets while I wait for my teammate Stephanie K. to pick me up. I was embarrassed to bring the four paddles in, so I left them leaning against the building outside, in the rain. They do have a Starbucks in the waiting room, and they offer me a free coffee while I wait, which is nice since I'm already wet and cold.

10:35 a.m.
Thunder and lightning commence. The race is still officially on, though.

11:00 a.m.
Stephanie calls to say she's just down the street. At the same time, the service rep tells me the car's ready. I pick up the paddles from their hiding place and put them and the life jackets back in my car, having gotten them out for nothing.

11:15 a.m.
Just as I'm pulling up to Old Settler's Park, teammate Megan calls me. Race is finally called off. I drive by just in time to see our clownfish boat's bent, soggy tail hanging out of teammate Stephanie I.'s vehicle. In the event of a rescheduled race, amputation will be necessary.

12:00 p.m.
Enchiladas and margaritas with team. Happy ending after all!