A Day In The Life

Friday was my third day of my vacation. I got up early to bring Ben to school and as usual, he was testy. "Have a good day", "whatever", he replied. I was happy to have him leave the car.

I got home, changed and happily left for a long walk through the park. I had new sneakers on and life was good. It was sunny and beautiful out. As I passed Planned Parenthood, the antiabortion group was setting up and the Escorts were ready. As I do every time I pass, I high fived the Escorts and thanked them. I turned up the street and headed into the park. The dogs were running and the gardeners were working. I was in the moment and loving it when I hit a pothole and sprawled on the ground. I scraped up on both hands, my thigh and my left ankle and right hand were throbbing. I had few options, so I dusted myself off and headed back. After a bit my ankle felt better but my hand was throbbing. I walked the three miles home. I took a shower, but by then I was sure I had broken something in my hand.

By the time I got to the Orthopedics's office (I have them on speed dial), I had planned how I was going to deal with a cast on my right hand. He insisted on xraying both my ankle and hand. I watched the end of the US soccer game in the waiting room. Your hand is fine, he said, but you seriously injured your ankle. Wait, what!? My hand is throbbing and my ankle is no big deal. I left with a brace on my ankle and a brace on my hand. The hand brace was for me, the ankle brace for the doctor.

Ben called at 3:30, it was too hot to walk home. I picked him and Isiah up and dropped Isiah off at his house. It was now time to get ready for the eighth grade prom. Throughout the week I had been back and forth to JC Penney getting him something to wear to the dance and graduation. Ben, of course, refused to come. Ben is no longer a boy size, but not quite man sized. We finally settled on a 14 1/2 fitted man's white dress shirt, 29 x 30 navy blue dress pants and a skinny tie. I also had to buy him a pair of shoes. Those were men's sized. I had asked him earlier if he wanted to buy his girlfriend a flower. He thought that would be nice, especially if I did it for him. When asked what color rose he wanted, he replied, "I dunno, what colors do they come in?". I got her a simple cream colored rose with a ribbon. He got a kiss for it, I got the bill.

While I was out getting the flower, Ben told Jaheem that I would give him a ride home from the barbershop up the street. The dance was starting in an hour and we were expected at Anissa's house for pictures in 30 minutes. We went up the street to Will's Barbershop to pick up Jaheem. He needed to be at his house soon to shower and get ready. Have you ever been to a Barbershop for black people? It was an experience! I'm used to 10 minute haircuts, that is, when I can convince Ben to get one. This was a process. Ben and I sort of stood out. Twenty minutes after we arrived, Jaheem is still not done and we are officially late. Ten minutes later Jaheem's Mother came in and we left. In the car, I asked Ben where his girlfriend lived. "I don't know, somewhere near Dennis". Several textes back and forth later we arrived (it was approximately 5 miles from Dennis' house). Annisa's Grandmother and I look the same age. Her Mother looked 14 and looked at Ben like a potential criminal. Could this day get any more irritating? I dropped them off at the dance. I spotted Ben untucking his shirt as they entered the school.

Two hours later I was summoned to pick them up and drop them off at the movie theatre where they met up with a group of friends. I arrived back after the movie to bring them home. At Anissa's house Ben kissed her goodnight in the car in front of me and two of his friends. OOOOOOH! His friends roared with laughter.

Finally the night was over. My ankle was the size of a grapefruit, my hand was aching and my body hurt everywhere. As we walked in the house Ben said, "thanks for everything Mom, could you do something about this tie?, it's killing me!". I went to bed.