First Day/Twenty-Two

The big day had arrived. Puck was nervous, but not too nervous to finish his whole breakfast. El Oso had accumulated enough vacation days to take off for the occasion. And the Star Wars backpack and Iron Man lunch box were both ready to go.

On the way we stopped to fuel up the truck, a coffee for El Oso, and a large praying mantis that the boys examined sunning himself near the pump.

There were some bravely fought-off tears when we left him with his class and teacher in the gymnasium at 8:30. The mixture of preppy kids, sporty kids, tanned gym moms, corporate moms (or something close to that); an interesting soup.

The rest of the school day, we were mostly lazy. Stocked up on groceries. Watched a rumbling storm float just north. We discussed our upcoming anniversary.

“How about QT Kitchen?” I suggested – mostly joking – after El Oso handed me a menu last week.

We’ve fallen a long way from Greece. The Mediterranean, to fuel station fodder.

“No way!” El Oso laughed, and bought me a Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread at a QT Kitchen for lunch instead.

Then I think we played the game, “Which Family Member Would Most Likely Lead a Riot.”

Picked up a new battery for the printer.

Highly entertaining.

Although about this time Irish texted me, “Jon Jay liked my picture on Instagram!!”

We knew he was a keeper. This was true excitement.

Excitement isn’t exactly the word I’d give for Puck when he walked out of his classroom at three o’clock, but he wasn’t unhappy. I’d say that’s moderate success for a first day ever of school away from home. We celebrated with Orange Leaf.

Anyway, the boys split ways with me around 5:30: homework and shrimp at the Silverspoon’s, while Carrie-Bri and I caught up on life events and baseball on the drive down to my 22nd game on the year.

We enjoyed another tight game of baseball over a bag of fruity yogurt star cookies (Trader Joe’s), entertaining ourselves with our own commentary. And of course a Jon Jay Hit By Pitch Walk Off. Sounds just about right.