She's locked inside---2018 begins

My loving girl. I was feeling it as I sat on the porch of my apartment. I looked at her staring back at me from the window. I looked down and prayed and vowed I would at least try to get in. 

Frustrated, I tore the felt screen of the front window trying desperately to get in. I had gone out earlier in the day and was everywhere. Somehow, some way, my mind just was on a roll, and I forgot where I placed my keys. We all do it, so I'm told. 

Earlier that day, I ran errands and grabbed groceries at Target, went to the library to get lost in books, and more stories to read. I stopped at Jersey Mikes for a sandwich and Redbox for a few movies. I came home in a wonderful mood, ready to have a relaxing evening. I opened up my purse, and began to search for my keys.... I searched and began to panic. There is no way... I could not have... 

I opened up the trunk and really began to lose my mind. I checked my bags and couldn't find them anywhere. I only had my car keys and phone in hand. I cursed myself loudly for foolishness, and hoped maybe I had left the door unlocked. I had not! I got back into the car angrily and retraced my stops, a few, and couldn't find it nor could anyone recall seeing them. 

My veins turned cold, and nerves began to twitch and burn. I cried hideously back on the front steps and looked at her again. She was alone and I was stuck. Come on Vidge think... calling a locksmith would be a lot of money. After hours support must have help. Lockouts were forbidden. Struck and even more angry and sad, I tried to knock on my neighbor Gloria's door. She hasn't been out and about for weeks, surely she would hear me. Not a sound, although the lights were on.

I feared I would never reach Mia and it would be all of my fault. I tried texting family, my best friend, just to talk to someone and try to calm down. Coaxed into trying again, I finally got ahold of their dispatch who paged Franco from the maintenance staff. He said he had another job and would be there in an hour not to worry. 

WIth anyone with strong anxiety knows, that this was scary, even if it wasn't that bad. Get back in the car Margo... I wouldn't move. As I continued to sob, a woman from downstairs heard my tears, and climbed half a step up. She asked what was going on and if I was alright. 

I looked ridiculous. I had a towel wrapped around me with a workout jacket on, all my DVDs, books, and giant purse near my side, and my phone on the mat, battery running low.  Mia was locked inside and I was responsible. The woman recognized me from their move in, and invited me to come inside. Her and her husband were watching the Spurs game. I began chattering away and I was offered water and explained several times that I was sorry for inconvenience to which they laughed and assured me it was no trouble at all. They instructed me that Franco (as I knew) was a very reliable worker. An hour passed quickly, and they helped me see that my dog would be just fine. 

I thought he would not show, or that she would be cold. Both irrational thoughts, but somehow took over me. Franco showed up and I was overjoyed. I couldn't help it, I told him how grateful I was to have him show up so late in evening way past work hours. He smiled and laughed and said he would be in big trouble if people found out he broke the rules. Irregardless, he went into the office, found the key, and told me to follow him to the shop. He made me a spare key, and reminded me to hide it safely and to get that boyfriend of mine to either bring the spare back or make more copies ; )! I wrote him a check to treat his wife and their girls to dinner. 

I raced back to my apartment and those darn keys were in my planner bag the whole time! I gave a copy to Kyle and his wife, and went upstairs to try to watch one movie before heading to bed. I was freezing, but so lucky, and grateful he showed up and that I met good people when I thought I was alone. I sat back on my couch incredulous at all that happened and hugged her tighter as she snipped at me for snuggling too close when she wanted to breathe. I put her to bed and got up five times thanking God for answering me. I didn't want to entertain what it would have been like had it been different. What an experience for 2018... my blue apron box got stolen a couple days before and Mia chewed my night guard. I will accept them all, and get back up, because what I have, is right here and what I need. New Year, what will you be like....