My Sons & The Ladies
Puck hoisted Yali onto his knee after breakfast. “Sit in my lap. And I’ll tell you a story,” he said.
I think Yali was more interested in the idea of sitting on his brother’s lap than hearing a story, considering that he doesn’t understand most English concepts yet. He lasted about five seconds. Puck wasn’t bothered. Just another excuse to squeeze the little bro from time to time.
It was Open House at school that morning. On the drive in, Puck explained how two of his classmates probably shouldn’t have been paired together because they didn’t always get along so well.
“They get along like a pirate and a viking,” he explained. “Mickey’s like a pirate, because he’s a skinny bean. And Snicky’s like a viking.” He paused and thought for a moment. “And I’m like the scientist caught in the middle.”
When we arrived, Puck lugged in the Big Hero 6 backpack, crammed with goodies like erasers, pencils, and scissors. Puck’s kind of goodies.
As we walked towards the classroom, the little girl who danced with him for the spring concert, waved shyly.
“You’re in this room, Puck.” Then, quickly, as if to clarify that she hadn’t been stalking him or anything, added, “I saw your name on the list.” Then she slipped him a homemade bracelet in two colors, including orange, his favorite color. “This is for you.”
Then Violet walked over. Her desk was next to Puck’s. She asked Yali to pray. After a little coaxing, he folded his hands together. Then to confirm that the request had not been merely for the purpose of a sideshow, she prayed for him.
About half an hour later, after all our duties had been accomplished for the morning, we walked back upstairs to say hello to Mr. V where Violet now held Yali on her hip to introduce him to more doting girls.
That evening, a storm hit the neighborhood about an hour before dinner. High, thrashing wind. Sent one of the flower pots tumbling. A little thunder, a little lightning, a quick torrential downpour. We’re getting there. It hasn’t been the best year for storms.
Inside for grilled cheese and tortilla/rice soup, before Anna and two other girls came pounding on the front door to see Yali. I’m beginning to sense an increase in demand.
Tomorrow would begin the 3rd grade era.