April 06, 2008

Talking Tall

When I was in fifth grade, I was in the girls' room with my friend. A younger girl walked in, took one look at me, and said: "The boys' room is down the hall!" Therein lies the source of my haircut phobia since I had just gotten a shorter haircut. I wanted to punch the little twirp, especially since I didn't have boy hair.

My cousin's kid came to our house for the first time last year and immediately headed for the bathroom. A few minutes later he came out, came over to me, and said: "You have horrible water pressure!" We don't. I wanted to punch the little twirp, especially since we don't have any water problems (he was turning the facet the wrong way) and a simple hello would have been a lot nicer.

Last week I took Katie to a play area and as I sat there, a young man came in with his sister. She played in the rafters and Katie was amused by watching her. But what followed was not what I had come to expect from a kid.

"We're trying to tire her out," he said to me with a smile.

"Oh. That's good," I said. I am horrible at basic responses, especially when caught off guard.

"Yeah, we're on our way to Florida so we thought we'd stop and let her play so she could sleep part of the way." His words flowed so clearly, so freely. He just wanted to have a nice conversation with me. Suddenly I felt stupid because this child of maybe ten was able to converse much easier and much better than I can. I was so honored that he would want to talk to me. I've gotten used to kids not giving a damn about their surroundings, not saying hello when you walk in the room, and not showing any amount of maturity.

He was on his way back to Florida, where he lives. They were driving. They were going to go to Disney World and he was excited for his sister since it would be the first time she would be going there. He doesn't like the hot weather.

He talked circles around me, but never seemed overly talkative or insensitive to the conversation's flow. He delighted me and I was actually disappointed when he had to leave.

"Well, it was great talking to you!" he exclaimed as he walked away.

Indeed, it was.

4 comments:

Paige Jennifer said...

On Saturday I flew to Sarasota with a Charlotte layover. On my first flight was a cherubic angel who was all smiles and giggles. I'll admit that seeing this child made me want one. On my second flight was a screeching seven year old who was rude. This child was pretty much birth control.

Kel said...

Paige: Keep in mind that everything changes when it's YOUR kid! :)

I think you just like getting birth control in the mail! Hahaha.

Ben O. said...

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman with short hair (if that is the right cut for her - my theory is that some women actually look better with short hair than long hair.)

Nice post - Ben O.

Kel said...

I think some women look better with short hair, too, Ben. My mom has had short hair all of her life and it has always been very becoming on her. I don't think I'm one of those women, though, at least in the way I feel with short hair.