We've all known it would come: this day. We've laughed about it, made bets on it and yeah, I've cried a little in anticipation of it.
It was art night last night. For parents that equals wandering in circles and tunnels/hallways that make you feel like a hamster while looking at things your kids have stolen from your house for the sake of the modern art world.
"Aren't those my sunglasses Honey?"
"Yeah, when I took them it was cloudy out. I didn't think you'd need them. And I got an A on this project."
"Glad to help."
For the kids it means running at full speed through the halls jumping up and down collecting every friend they've ever made and building possies that would cause LA Crips to flinch. Well, my daughter had accumulated five or six girls who were all giggling and pointing (my favorite things to do as we all know) and whispering to each other. Something was up.
It seemed that this was less about showing off art and more about...
... introducing her father to her "boy friend"
Oh yeah. Cheech got sucked into that one BIG TIME. We said hi to the teachers and saw the art on the walls, recognized my can opener and some Tupperware in an altered state; oh excuse me, sculpture. It had become a sculpture. She and her lil girlfriends (including the giant) were giggling away as we rounded the corner when I realized (all too late) what she'd been planning.
There he was all alone running one of the exhibits (that had all these really cool shoes...HEY! THAT one is MINE! I loved those shoes! I hope I get it back when all is said and done. I wasn't done wearing them. They're pink clicky shoes. Summertime fun...but this isn't about me...)
He saw Maddie and blushed. BLUSHED! I smiled. She went over and hugged him. He saw me and looked down. He was nothing less than adorable: sweet brown eyes that never left my daughter's face, longer brown hair( not shaggy but not a bowl-cut...just right), a little taller than she....and Maddie? She just swooned. She laughed and covered her mouth. Her cheeks were rosy and he just made her giggle constantly. She was absolutely bright and shiny. I'm surprised her braces didn't rust a little with all her smiling.
"This is my mom." she said touching my arm.
"Hello Mrs. Skultety." he smiled and looked away. Someone once said boys like that are like Eddie Haskel; not to be trusted? two faced? I nodded cautiously.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you. Are you excited for graduation?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'm having a party."
"YEAH and my folks said I could come." Maddie was beaming and swaying side to side.
"That's cool." he said kind of shrugging it off. He didn't want to get all jacked up with the 'rents around
The small crowd of students parted. The air got still. I swore the floor was shaking or maybe it was merely the knees of some scared tweens.
"AND-I'M- MADELINE'S- FATHER." was the thunder rolling down the hall. Moses couldn't have parted water any better.
I heard the boy swallow his tongue. The flush turned first to ash then snow white. His lips became the Sahara and his voice? yep, Peter Brady.
"Hello sir." he choked.
Cheech extended his hand. Maddie stopped; suddenly afraid that her father was going to eat Eddie Haskel. The boy looked at it and shook it. I think he thought he was going to pull back a bloody stump. My husband took a step forward (to growl? or whisper a threat?) and the boy almost shrunk as if he were going to get beat like a baaaaad dawg.
"Soooooo" Cheech continued to boom."How are your grades?"
"Good sir." the boy looked like he was going to melt into the floor.
"He made the honor role again Daddy just like me." she smiled sideways at him, winking. WINKING!!!!
Ben was going through all the stuff for the exhibit and mixing up the poor kids note cards. I swatted his hand and made him put them back. "Cut it out!" I snapped. He laughed and jumped around.
My husband raised an eyebrow. "Good. Glad to hear it. About this party...."
"My parents will be home." he almost shouted. He gleeked on Cheech's shirt. We all stared at it. "And-there-will-be-lots-of-kids-there-Practically-my-whole-family-and-we-will-have-food-and-volleyball-and-and-and-"
It came as one big breath and word. I touched Cheech's arm.
"Enough." I said quietly. Her father smiled triumphantly.
Boo had taken the stickers the boy was to give out, sticking them to his shoes and shirt. He smiled proudly. "Nice job dude." he said and clapped the boy on the back.
"Thanks Man." he said and took Ben's hand giving him the shoulder bump. He began to breathe again, wiping sweat from his upper lip. Was that peach fuzz? Oh Boy.
"It was nice to meet you." Cheech asserted himself between the boy and my daughter. He stared at him; long and hard. If he'd had a gun and his hat on, he'd have tipped it, spit on the floor and sauntered away. "ka-chink. Ka-chink...." (hear the Gunsmoke theme? Oooowee-oooweee-OOOOOOO! Nair-NAIR-naaaairrrr) What a hardass cowboy. Giddyup.
"Yes sir. and you." he smiled. Cheech did not.
Maddie took Daddy's hand. "Ohhhh Daddy." and she hugged his arm. "Isn't he great? JUST GREAT?" My husband looked ill and sad.
"Great." he said flatly. He licked his tight lips sucking in his breath.
She let go and ran back to hug her friend.
She broke her Daddy's heart at that precise moment. He looked a little less grand, just a little. She came back to walk out with her father. I hope he remembers that. We never forget our Daddys. (Just so you know Pop.) Ben turned to give the boy a thumbs up.
I turned and smiled.
He was watching my daughter walk away. People were talking to him but he hadn't heard. They were too busy smiling at each other. He was texting her already...and waving. See what I mean? Twove.
Ohhhh Boy.
Enjoy the holiday. Travel safely. We'll meet back here soon I hope. Thanks for coming.
