This evening it happened. One of those that was always in the back of my mind, showed up. Actually 2 of them did. I'll start with the first. There is so much to tell, I'm going to do an ongoing series.
Part One-
Like any normal day I was scanning through Facebook, the social network and I happened upon a name I remembered liking a post of an old childhood friend. Todd and I have been Facebook friends for years, seeing my childhood crush all grown up, handsome as ever, living his life with his partner in my childhood home of Columbia. Yes, I have perused through all of his pictures many times, made comments on his posts and smiled when he liked or commented one of my posts. Suddenly, out of nowhere appeared his Mother, Sharon! Miss Sharon, and yes, I call all Momma's Miss....it's a southern bi-law.
Immediately, I friended her. My memories of her are what shaped me.
I remember the day my parents moved us into our new home on Seton Drive like it was yesterday....boxes piled everywhere, the southern sun shining in all the curtainless windows and me scarfing down a pop tart staring out the sliding glass down. I was giddy with anticipation. What would that vast outdoors have for me? I was ready to explore, and the pine trees were whispering my name in the breeze. Slowly, methodically a small little boy (I say small because he was smaller than my gangly 5 year old body) wandered onto our patio. He wore cut off jean shorts and a red and blue striped t-shirt, no shoes and a sweet sun kissed smile. He raised his hands, cupping them around his eyes and peered in the stationary door. I watched, but never said a word.
My mom spun around to check on my progress, breaking from her cabinet organization project and she caught a glimpse of him. This little fella stood fast, didn't flinch and looked her dead in the eyes. She moved over to the screen, as she slid it open, she said "Well, Hello there, sir. Who might you be?"
Taking a step back he stood up tall, shoving his hands behind his back and proudly said, "Braaaaaattttt!" I saw my mother smile, chuckle even just a little. She repeated, "Brat?" "No," he said, "It's Brrrraaaaatttt." He was smiling and glanced my way. I myself was giggling, ready to drop on the floor and laugh. But, that would be rude. So I sat there quietly giggling.
The two of them exchange the name another 3-4 times, and then he seemed satisfied that she was calling him brat. She introduced us, asked him where he came from and he politely told us his whole history and that he lived one house away. "Come by anytime." He said is as if he was the owner, and then he looked at me, tilted his head and screamed goodbye as he ran his little legs home.
