A2-52 / CEFR A2 / EPISODE 52

Canceled Plans

Asking about a last-minute cancellation

SceneAt a café. Tina's friend Sarah has canceled at the last minute again.

Tina and Frank talk beside a phone at a cafe overlooking the rain. — Select the illustration to view it at full size in a new tab.

Narrator

Tina's friend Sarah has canceled their plans again at the last minute — the third time in a row. Tina is talking it over with Frank.

ティナの友達サラがまた直前に予定をキャンセルした。これで3回連続だ。ティナはフランクに相談している。

Tina01

Ugh, Sarah canceled on me again at the last minute!

もう、サラがまた直前にキャンセルしたの！

Frank02

That's the third time, isn't it?

それで3回目だよね？

Tina03

Yes! That's three plans in a row she's canceled.

そうよ！約束を3回続けてキャンセルされたの。

Frank04

Maybe she has some personal stuff going on.

何か個人的な事情があるのかもしれないよ。

Tina05

I've already asked her if she's okay.

大丈夫か、もう聞いたわ。

Frank06

And what did she say?

彼女は何て言ったの？

Tina07

Just "fine, sorry." No real reason.

ただ「大丈夫、ごめん」だけ。ちゃんとした理由はなし。

Frank08

Sometimes people cancel 'cause they need space. But I understand why you're upset.

一人の時間が必要でキャンセルすることもあるよ。でも、君がつらいのもわかる。

Tina09

Maybe. But I've been hurt one too many times.

そうかもね。でも、もう何度も傷ついて、限界なの。

Frank10

Then tell her how you really feel. Don't just stay quiet.

それなら本当の気持ちを伝えなよ。黙ってちゃだめだ。

Tina11

Okay. I'll write her a message. I have a lot to say.

わかった。メッセージを書くわ。言いたいこと、いっぱいあるの。

Frank12

A message, Tina. Not a book.

メッセージだよ、ティナ。本を書くんじゃないからね。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“at the last minute”

At the last minute means immediately before the scheduled time. It is common in discussions of cancellations made just before an appointment.

“three plans in a row”

In a row means one after another, consecutively. Here it means that Sarah has canceled their last three plans in a row. It does not mean every plan this month was canceled, and it fits with Tina having watched a movie with Sarah in A2-48.

“Sarah canceled on me again”

Cancel on someone means to cancel an arrangement with them. On me adds a sense of inconvenience or disappointment to the affected person. Tina is upset that Sarah has canceled again.

“personal stuff going on”

Personal stuff means private matters, and going on means happening. The phrase vaguely refers to personal difficulties when the details are unknown or the speaker does not want to disclose them.

“'cause”

'Cause is an informal shortening of because. Like gonna and gimme, it is used in casual conversation; standard writing uses because. Here it introduces needing time alone as a possible reason for canceling.

“they need space”

Need space means to need time alone or emotional room away from others. Space refers to personal breathing room, rather than outer space. Give someone space means to leave them undisturbed.

“I've been hurt one too many times.”

One too many times means so many times that it is past the limit. The image is "one more time than can be forgiven": not just many times, but enough to reach the end of one's patience. Because Frank acknowledges how hard it is, Tina puts her limit into words too.

“A message, Tina. Not a book.”

"A message, Tina. Not a book." This short comeback agrees that she should share her feelings but asks her to keep it to a readable length. It is a light tease at Tina, who tends to write long messages (she wrote four pages in A2-18). It does not mean she should keep her feelings to herself.

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