I'm up to my stupid flat tire tricks again. Last night was possibly my worst infraction. Why?

1. Wife calls at 4:30 and needed me to be home by 5:30 so I can take our son to his ball game and she can take our daughter to the doctor. I left late because two people stopped me with urgent questions on the way out the door.
2. I was out of the office last week and forgot that I had just used my last spare tube for a flat two weeks ago. The patch kit and spare (patched) tube were on the work bench where I left them two weeks ago.
3. No cell phone (single income family) and no money by chance a pay phone is available.
4. Phtttttt, phhhhttttt, phhttttttttttt from the rear tire about two miles into the ride home. 10 miles to go. Half hour left to get home. Hole is next to the stem. Panic sets in.
5. My cycling shoes are old, flimsy, and terrible to walk in.
6. The tube a friendly fellow cyclist was for an 18c tire. I have 32 c. The little pump I have didn't help, no matter how frantically I pumped. It did protect the tire and wheel, however, as I walked the bike.
7. 7:15 PM, I find a ATM for money and pay phone for a call. Left a message for my wife and kids ("Hey, I'm alive").
8. 9 PM, 1/2 mile from home, my wife and kids pull up in the van.

In the last ten years, I have averaged MAYBE one flat a year. This year, with a new tire and tubes, I have had at least four. Auggggghhhhhhh!!! Murphy rears his ugly head.

I hate it when I'm not prepared, but this year has made it difficult for even preparation to help!