More Adventures in Ritalin, or They Don't Call It the Idiot Light for Nothing

Took off for appointment this morning; tank was on about the 1/8 line. Get about five minutes away from appt., get phone call that Secundo is sick and needs to be picked up from school. Have to turn car around, head back. Idiot light goes on. Think, "Fine, if need be I'll stop for gas." Remember that I don't have purse with me, so can't pay at gas station. Wonder if I can beg my way into obtaining gasoline, decide to keep driving. Hit mondo construction, backed up for miles. Reflect that there's still plenty of gas in the car when the idiot light goes on. Get phone call from snippy nurse saying that Secundo has raging ear infection, where am I? Explain am on Northern State, stuck in traffic. Wonder how much of my precious fuel went up in fumes as I've been sitting. Get off at 110, head west. Note that I've been driving for about 15-20 miles with idiot light on. Call doctor, who can see Secundo only if I'm there in 20 minutes. Pick Secundo up (misery, guilt-inducing crying); make calculated decision to stop and get purse. Marvel as pull into gas station that I've made it without stalling out. Show up 10 minutes late for doctor appt. No one is consulting stopwatch. We are seen immediately--yay!

I a 43 years old and had no money on me and no gasoline. Stupid, stupid mom.