The story to end all stories...

It seems that I have another crazy story to add to the smoking plane cabin and wild carriage ride.

One day before my wedding. Approximately eight hours before the rehearsal.

I finished my first test for Psych of Gender, then had to run back to the apartment for my clarinet music. I unlocked the door knob, but Johnathan had fastened the indoor chain to keep David inside. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Through the crack, I could hear the screaming of the smoke alarm and saw what appeared to be water dripping from the ceiling. Frantically, I knocked again, but there was still no answer. I fought my way through the door, pulling the chain loose. I realized that it would be no use to yell for Johnathan because of the deafening alarm, which was hanging from the ceiling, soaking wet. As I ran upstairs, I noticed a loud roaring coming from our bedroom. I entered to find a gaping hole where the shower knob had once been. A steady rush of water was still flooding the bathroom. Everything was soaked. By the time I got back downstairs, Johnathan was coming in from the back porch. He was on the phone with the fire department as a last resort. He had been unable to locate the water meter to shut off the flood. I grabbed my music band materials and ran out the door. I had to at least drop the music off in order for Philip to be able to play during the woodwind sectional. It was very strange to pass the firetrucks that I knew were undoubtedly rushing to my apartment.

I dropped off the music, breathlessly explained the situation to Shiver, and drove back to Whistle Way. The fire department was leaving as I pulled in. The water meter had been located down the street. The fire department had a hard time locating it because they are generally in closer proximity. I walked in and surveyed the mess. A few minutes later, a steady drip from the ceiling turned into a stream. I yelled just in time to watch the sheetrock give way. A unbelieveable tidal wave poured from the ceiling. I tried to grab as many things out of its way as possible, but abandoned all efforts to grab a terrified David. That's when I pretty much lost it. Not hysterical, but pretty darn close to it. I seemed as if the water would never stop. I couldn't believe so much had collected in the ceiling.

The look on the face of the landlord was priceless. Disaster zone. There was an entire crew moving in and out of the apartment for the next hour, trying to determine the best course of action for the destruction. I spent all week cleaning the apartment so that we would have a nice homey place after the wedding. Ha. Haha. I suppose it still ended up being beneficial because it meant that there wasn't as much to get soaked. The landlord wondered if someone could move our stuff to a new apartment while we were gone, but after working so hard just to get here, I'd rather not. He hopes to have everything fixed by Tuesday. We'll see. I have to finish packing and get ready for the rehearsal.