Smokin' Hot

Sweet Potato and I went to a favorite park for some fresh air and exercise this afternoon.  We loaded up the Banana Split (my car) with dinosaurs, a cooler, and juice.  

It was 93 degrees outside with bright sun.  The bleached sand in the volleyball court was volcanic in temperature.  It was so hot, the dinosaurs went extinct as soon as the playing began.  

We encountered a friendly thirteen-year-old boy, who was skateboarding.  Sweet Potato invited him to play Hide-And-Go-Seek and the kiddo obliged.  Sweet Potato skipped a few numbers and ended up on the number 99.  Skater boy grinned and did not correct him or argue against his methods.  They hid behind trees, in play structures, and under benches.

When he saw the walking path intersect a stream and pond, Sweet Potato asked the kid, "Will you watch me near the water so if I slip and fall I won't die?"

The boy with the skateboard looked pensive, "If I am only watching you, that will not prevent that from happening."  Sweet Potato started processing this, but got distracted by a squirrel (of course).

It's getting weird, I thought to myself.  

The skater boy started chatting about school and abruptly said, "My dad has been really distant lately."

Sweet Potato was just about to ask "How far away is he?"  when I answered, "It sounds like he's really busy.  Has he been really busy?"

The boy answered, yes, his dad was busy, but he had managed to spend a weekend with his dad in a nearby city.   

I work with children in a school.  Many children speak to me about their parents' divorces, custody arrangements, and teasing.  For reasons unknown, children have a level of comfort with disclosing feelings with me.  The boy politely left the park for his home nearby.

Sweet Potato and a drove home.  We passed by a Burger King.  The smell of char-grilled burgers was thick in the 93-degree air.  

"Mom!  I'm  allergic to smoke!  I can't be here!" exclaimed SP, holding his nose.  He was in a panic.

"Yes, that is smoke, honey.  It is not cigarette smoke and it is not smoke from a fire."

"What is it?"  He shrieked.  

"That is the smell of Burger King.  They char-grill their hamburgers and the grill has a smoky smell.  When we turn the corner, there will be no more smoke."

He became quiet with relief.  We continued our drive home.