The Wake-Up Call

Frannie’s alarm rang at 5 am, just as they’d planned. Robin pulled the covers over her head. The alarm continued to ring. Robin opened her eyes and peeked at Frannie’s bed. The hump under the covers didn’t move. “Frannie! Turn your damned alarm off.” she hissed. There was no response.

Robin raised her voice. “Dammit, shut off you’re friggin’ alarm!”

No response. Robin sat up and threw her pillow at Frannie, scoring a direct hit.

An arm snaked out from beneath the covers and pushed the pillow onto the floor. “Not yet, Mom. Just a few more minutes.” The hand disappeared under the covers and Frannie lay still, her breathing regular.

“I’m not your mom, you spoiled brat,” Robin hissed. “Get up NOW!”

Frannie didn’t stir. Robin, pissed off and wide awake, climbed out of bed and turned off the alarm. “OK, you pampered little shit, I’ll take your bathroom slot and you can sleep all day for all I care.”

Robin yawned and stretched and made as much noise as possible collecting her toiletries and a towel. She eased the bathroom door to Leslie and Katie’s room shut. In fifteen minutes, wrapped in a towel and ready to dress she cracked open the door to Katie and Leslie’s room and found them awake and talking. Robin described how her morning had begun and announced that the bathroom was available.

“It’s 5:35,” said Leslie. Wake Frannie and let’s hope she can get finished in time for me to take your 6:20 slot.”

“Forget that.” retorted Robin. “I’m not her mother. She slept through her turn. She can wait for the rest of us to finish. Then she can take as long as she likes. You go ahead, Leslie.”

Leslie gathered her things and Robin returned to her room and slammed the door. Frannie didn’t stir. Robin dressed and went into the sitting room to look over her orientation materials. At 6:20, Katie and Leslie joined Robin. Frannie still hadn’t stirred.

Katie suggested, “Why don’t I wake Frannie? Then we can get an early start on breakfast. It will be nice to get to the cafeteria while there are still choices. Frannie can meet up with us there.”

“Suit yourself,” retorted Robin. “I don’t care if she sleeps all day.”

Katie shook Frannie’s shoulder. “Frannie, you need to wake up if you’re going to make it to Orientation. We’re leaving for breakfast. Meet us there.” Frannie opened her eyes but didn’t say anything. Katie repeated her suggestion, then left to join the others.

Frannie’s eyes closed and she drifted back to sleep. At 7:00, she awoke with a start. No alarm. Eyes wide, she took in the empty room and Robin’s made bed. “How could they let me sleep? Mom always made sure I was up on time. What do I do now?” She looked at the clock again, then tore through the room, a tornado of activity, vainly attempting to snuff the burn of disappointment.