Dumpster Diver

I stared at the three cardboard boxes Puck had assembled after carpool from the recycling bins. Each one stacked high with discarded white envelopes, in a few different sizes. I almost made him put most of them back, but then I realized that at least envelopes were probably about a thousand times more useful than empty greasy pizza boxes. We’re moving in the right direction here. So I eventually helped him haul the goods out to the car. I need a bigger car.

Back inside, Heidi had pulled out a bag of small marshmallows to share with the boys. Yali started going to town on those things, with little hope of restraint.

Heidi, satisfied that she was making the healthy choice opting for marshmallows as an after-school snack, said to me, “Some people don’t think, and just stuff themselves on candy instead.”

Meanwhile – earlier – the headmaster had stopped briefly to chat about our current situation going on down in Jupiter. With Johnny Peralta likely on the rocks for two to three months due to an injured thumb, Plan B was already in motion. Five spring games into the season, and already making things interesting.

Outside, the sky was growing darker in the west. 75 degrees at the end of winter. And storms were coming, they said.

The kids ran around for awhile in the wind. Yali imagines himself one of the big kids now and practically throws himself off ledges without thinking, so I can no longer let him run free at will. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about the restraining order.

That evening while more of Puck’s favorite – fish – baked in the oven, he walked back through the front door with a car muffler under each arm. I really should start questioning my boys on a more regular basis about things like this. But I honestly don’t even think about it most of the time until it’s too late and no longer worth inquiring about. I think the longer I’m a mama to only-boys, the more I’m desensitized to questionable behavior.

The car mufflers were quickly forgotten, however, as Puck turned his attentions to the plate of fish with a side of carrots and celery. The carrots and celery? A+ on downing those veggies. The fish? I’ll give him a hard D on that one.

When Oxbear asked everyone about their day, Puck summarized his experience in just one thought, “DAD! I got thousands of envelopes today! THOUSANDS!”