By Charlotte Byus
This past Saturday afternoon, Dianne, Ashlynn, Emily and I attended the ballet at the Wortham Theater Downtown Houston. I mention all of the above, so you will once again understand my tight fist holding on the front seat door handle. Let’s start with the Ballet – Giselle, a beautiful story about romance and forgiveness between a poor girl and a nobleman. She dies brokenhearted as he deceives her that he will marry her. There are no need for words in this beautiful ballet, it is self explanatory. The Houston Ballet group did the story proud, beautiful from start to finish.

As always, I am timely to Di’s home, ready to change clothes and apply make-up. Di is in the shower and Emily is not home from work. An hour later I am ready, Di is doing her hair and Emily is putting her hair in a tail, make-up will be applied in the car. Off we go, STOP! We are heading to FM518 and 288. Not happening, traffic is dead stopped and so many cars. Di tries several opinions detailed on the phone, none work, u-turn several times. Plus, the lady on the phone keeps adding time to the arrival! Meanwhile back at Ashlynn’s, she is waiting for us to pick her up. She lives in the Galleria area, and we are so far away. I call Ashlynn to let her know our situation and, of course, being Di’s oldest daughter, she understands and calls Uber.

With six minutes till curtain, up we arrive, Emily and I jump out of the car and Di heads to park. We find Ashlynn and head into the theater with tickets in hand. Of course, we are at the wrong entrance and run to the correct area. The girls head for the restroom and I take off for our seats. From absolutely nowhere Di shows up, then the girls are there and the curtain goes up.

To coin a phrase from a friend, what you need to know, we four were all in heels. Me in heels, first time since January’s accident and I am trying to walk fast.

After many encores, we head out to find an Uber to take us to the Mexican restaurant everyone wanted to try downtown. Di said, “Hey, I have a $5 coupon, that is good, right?” The driver ID’s himself to us and off we go. Now I know the price, I am in the front seat so I give the guy tip and charge. We are heading into the restaurant and Di said I think that was forth 3 to 4 dollar tip, girls agree. I said I had already paid that, thinking I had done good. Wrong! You see you pay with a card through the phone adding tip. NO moneys are exchanged. This guy got a REALLY BIG tip.

Dinner was delish and so were the Margaritas and the fun talking around the table. Off we go again with another Uber back to the parking garage at the Wortham. Di parked three levels down, so we head down on foot and along comes an angel in a six-seater golf cart, “would you like a ride”, oh yes I would.

Once we find the proper white car, we thank the lady, tip, and walk to the car. Ashlynn, lets out a MOM! Someone put gum on your car door!! Oh S—! I forgot!! On the way trying to get to 288 I tried to spit out the gum Di had given me, I had it on my finger in the wrapper and I guess a little bit was out of the wrapper. I thought I shook my hand good enough, not. So all the way home, she is fussing at me about said gum. Finally she said, why did you not tell me when it happened? Cause I did not want to hear you fuss for five hours instead of one.

I made the 9 pm ferry and was home to bed.

[9-23-2019]