Each day is the same. I march down to the bus stop and wait with other mothers for the yellow submaraine to whisk our kids off to school. There are several boys and of course they can get a little rowdy. They're boys; it's what they were made to do. But there are some moms who don't get that.
"Your pants will get dirty."
"Your feet will get wet."
"Zip your coat. Put up your hood. Where are you gloves?"
"Stay on the sidewalk. Don't.... don't.. DON'T!"
Ugh. It drives me nukin futs. Yes, I'd like it if his shoes stayed tied. You bet I'd like to have a day where each hair on his head didn't want to stand straight up in a different direction. Of COURSE I'd love for him to dress like a little man in business attire. But he's my Boo and that ain't happenin. He does his best and I love 'im; as is.
It snowed here and there are a few patches of ice scattered at "dangerous points" all around the bus stop. This means that none of the other boys are allowed NEAR any of it. They could get hurt. It's not that I don't think Boo won't, but he'll learn. If it hurts when you do that....
Today was different. I was tired of the reproachful looks between the other mothers. I'm the rebel in the bunch (or neglectful mother as I've heard whispered...not that they gossip. Heavens NO!) Regardless, there was this patch of ice that had splintered. Chunks were easy enough to pick up and throw. It only took a little stomping (and a strategically placed high heel ...clicky shoes. Gotta love em.) to get what we needed.
"Here Boo. Hurry up!" I giggled and handed him a couple of shards.
He laughed and took off up the street to the edge of our cul-de-sac where he heaved them. They shattered and skittered across the main road. He skipped back to me. I handed him a bigger piece. This went on until he shouted "Live one!" and we ran back to the safety of the "real mothers" who stared at me, shifting their weight from foot to foot and rolling their eyes. Too bad Baby. You're the one missin out on all the fun.
Along came a Lexus SUV. It slowed down at first, the driver uncertain if it was glass but seeing us hunched down like we were playing an illegal dice game and yelling "C'mon C'MON!" he smiled and swerved.
Crrrrrunch
"Woooo HOOOO!" and we gave the touchdown signal, high-fiving each other until our palms stung.
Slowly but surely the other boys began to gather.
"Hey Mrs. S...break one off for me. I want to do it."
Not wanting to get under anyone's skin (more than I do already; it's a gift. I work hard at it.), I would tell them to ask.
"Of course not. Someone's going to get hurt." more looks.
But I kept crunching and we kept tossing. Then came the coup-de-gras. It was HUGE. Ben could barely lift it. The other boys left the sidewalk, unable to contain themselves. The other moms gave bored sighs and glared at me. I clapped and hopped up and down.
"Hurry up Guys!! She's coming! She's COMING." The yellow submarine was sauntering up the road. Time was of the essence. With careful precision, they broke the mammoth in to pieces and scattered it. She was coming closer. They scurried for their book bags and waited.
"Crush it! Crush it! Smash-it-into-bits!" They kept chanting. The excitement was building. The road was frosty and glittered with ice dust. We waited for a grinding and shattering unheard by human ears in the history of winter.
She rolled up. Nothing. Not one pop.
"AAAAWwwww! No WAY!" we wailed. The bus driver laughed and shook her head. The disappointment was palpable. My shoulders sank. The other mothers gave each other little happy snippit smiles. I kissed Boo's head and watched him get on the bus.
Getting into my car and heading to the office, I took an extra minute to crunch up that ice. Giggling and I think my tongue poked happily out of the corner of my lips, I drove over it like an obstacle course; cheerfully waving to the other moms as they headed to some one's house for coffee and "chit chat". I wasn't invited but imagined I'd be there in spirit; or topic.
Boo got home and rushed to me, all pink cheeked and breathless. I love that look; that smell (of cold, ice and kid. It's kind of like when they get out of the shower. You just can't breathe in enough of the purity...ahhhh I love it.) I hugged him enjoying the sting of his freezing cheeks against my warm ones.
"Somebody hit it! Smashed it to bits!" he laughed.
"You got it in the right spot?"
"We MUST have. You should SEE it. It's TOTAL dust!" and he laughed. "That was fun today Mom."
I'm glad I don't always fit in.
I hope you ruffle a couple of feathers, make your own way, and enjoy your"self" today. Be your own hero and play a little. Thank you for thinking of me and coming to sit a minute. Until next time.
