Masking Tape Emergency

Yep, I'm here to tell you that my painter guys got in trouble today. I went by the house this afternoon after Sophia's nap to check progress and drop off boxes. No one was there. However, lights were left on in three rooms, a window was left open and the front door was unlocked. After correcting these problems, I wrote the head painter-guy a note, stuck it to one of the paintbrush handles and left. As I was getting ready to turn on the main street, I passed them returning to the house in their van. It took me about 10 minutes to make a U-turn at the next light and get back there, so I had time to think about how I was going to handle this. My cell phone rang when he found the note, but I was driving so I did not take the call.

Two painter guys were standing in my driveway when I returned. I asked painter guy #1 to go get painter-in-charge because I didn't want to take Sophia out of her carseat again. Painter #1 returned quickly and said that he'd be right out. He then proceeded to try and start explaining what happened. I did not smile and gave minimal response. Head-painter guy came out and apologized and said that he left through the garage door. Fine, don't let it happen again. However, then he had to add the stupidest excuse... "we had a masking tape emergency."

Seriously??! As a teacher I have heard some silly excuses, but this is the goofiest thing I've heard an adult say. What has to happen to require a drop-everything-run-to-buy-masking-tape emergency? Why does it take three people? It's like they got a call from the mayor and had to jump in the painter-mobile and rush to save the city. He smelled like "funny" cigarettes, so I'm guessing this was the best he could come up with on short notice.

Painter guy #1 already told me you were at lunch, man.

Rather than tear him a new one, I did the teacher thing... I stayed calm, didn't crack a smile, and told him that it better not happen again. Calm can be scary, if done correctly. :)