This posed a challenge. You see, Hunter had already gifted Rebecca a nifty necklace, at her family’s picnic he’d attended, earlier this summer. It was a quaint brass pendant at the end of a chain. The pendant was a functional envelope charm with a message etched on a brass note inside that read “I Love You”. Hunter purchased it with his earnings from making the Honor Roll, but now he was broke. He thought better of asking me for cash, I assume because he knew he’d have to earn it or get my infamous, “Where in the hell do you think money comes from?” speech. That, coupled with a foot dragging shopping trip, was more than a 12 year old boy could bear. So he planned to write her a poem and he asked for my help. I was touched.
Unfortunately, with my work schedule and errands, I was unable to help him in time for his date. He was disappointed but nothing could squash his excitement over getting to see her. He thanked me repeatedly for chaperoning and handed out hugs all day… and that smile, well, it was dreamy to say the least. The itinerary was as follows: Pick up Rebecca at her parent’s and head over to Round Table Pizza for some dinner and games in the arcade. The timeline was two hours, from 6:00 until 8. He chewed a breath mint with the frenzy of a hungry piranha beforehand and took one for the road. He gave Nathan and I the rundown of acceptable behavior and approved topics of conversation on our way to pick her up. He stressed the importance of not bringing up that he could sing (like a beautiful bird), because he would absolutely not perform! We agreed, but I reminded Hunter that girls swoon for handsome crooners, such as himself.
We arrived at Rebecca’s parents and she emerged with giggling siblings and cousins swirling around her, eager to greet my bashful boy. I visited with her folks for a quick minute before leaving for the date. Nathan and I behaved ourselves on the car ride there, but it was damned difficult to say the least. Once there, the kids engaged in game play. A racing game first, and then on to the air hockey table. I shot a text early on to Hunter, instructing him to let her win, but it was a non-issue. She whooped on my boy so mercilessly bad.
If I were a nicer mom I would’ve ended the game play with an interruption like say, dinner arriving at the table, but that’s not how I roll. Hunter shook it off well though and found his own ray of sunshine in watching Rebecca laugh. When Rebecca was done teaching Hunter that girls rule and boys simply drool, we gathered at the table for dinner. Hunter turned into such a girl. He was peckish and pretended to be stuffed after eating only a couple slices of the( very best) pizza (on earth). Rebecca opened up and let us see what I think Hunter values about her most; her no apologies, take me as I am, carefree spirit. She’s pretty and witty and freely admits she’s a nerd, so good luck embarrassing her. Hunter has met his match.
The kids finished eating and Nathan and I watched them compete and flirt. Hunter begged her to play a hunting game to which she declined, due to its graphic nature and its ugly emphasis on animal cruelty (she’s a keeper!). I suggested they play the dinosaur hunting game, seeing as dinos are already dead. Game on. Nathan and I entertained ourselves…
Amusing Nathan
The date wrapped up right on schedule and we returned Rebecca to her parents. Hunter was giddy despite having not landed a kiss. He talked about second dates and thirds and kept saying, “I told you she was pretty!”, as if we ever doubted. But here’s the best part, he came home and wrote this…
Your face is as beautiful as a sunset on an autumn day
It makes me feel as though there is no one right for me but you,
Your smile lights up the sun, if only I could have a smile as bright as yours too
And as you smile, whether or not we’re together, as long as you’re happy, I’m happy each day
I think Hunter has a muse. I also think it’s good that he didn’t let me help him write it because as simple as it comes across and as many structural and grammatical errors as I can find in it, it’s from his big beautiful perfect heart. Hunter, you are so special.
No comments:
Post a Comment