Yesterday wasn't the four year old wonderboy's best day. He was teary as I buckled him in the car, knowing he was in for another visit to the doctor.
I need to hear some Leonard Cohen, please. he told me, I want to hear something sad.
I flip through the CD's (yes, I am a total luddite who refuses to buy dark side of the moon in yet another format for the rest of my days.) I think I know what he wants, but ask anyway, how sad?
sad sisters.
He quiets down, singing along, "we weren't lovers like that, and besides, it would still be alright..."
He doesn't want to go into 'bird on a wire'. "I want something else, now. I'm wearing my billie joe shoes, could you please put on Green Day?"
sure you're up for that?
yes, he tells me, i need to play drums, but quiet drums. Can you play are we the stars?
so i do.
are they doing blood work again? I don't want blood work again.
No, this is a regular visit. They are going to have to catch you up on your shots, we couldn't this winter, because you were so sick.
How many shots?
Four, I think.
He makes his inarticulate rage noise before asking:
where are the shots?
I'm not sure, maybe your arms, maybe your legs, maybe your bottom.
(inarticulate rage noise)
Not my butt! Anywhere but my butt! Tell them!
I will, I assure him, I'll make sure they know.
I'm really mad now, he tells me, really mad. I'm really tired. I don't want to be brave again.
It's hard to be brave, I agree. Is there a song that would help?
I need Morrison.
(I'm thrown for a second) Morrison?
Yes, I'm mad and I need to hear the sick song.
Ah, of course.
better?
a little. i'm still mad. Can I hear the dylan?
which version? johnny cash?
no, i want the turtles.
ok, dude, we're here. ready to get this over with?
no.
ok, tell you what. i have some blood work that I have to get done, so after this we can go do that, and you can hold my hand, ok?
will you be scared?
you bet, needles scare the bejezus out of me, so it would really help if you would hold my hand.
I can do that.
so he does.
after the endless shots and six tubes drawn, we're both ready to go home.
mom?
yes?
I think I would like today to be my junk food day this week.
seems fair.
And I think I would like it to be Burger King. They are selling the transformer toys and i want one.
again, seems doable.
really?
yes.
Pulling away from the drive through, he's happily snapping together some sort of plastic transformers thing.
mommy?
yes?
this was a not completely bad day - can i hear it please?
my pleasure, wonderboy.
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iamsurly
Unbreakable
Mary Elizabeth Williams
onecorgilover
littlewillie
Gwendolyn Glover
Salon.com
Comments
Kisses,
Marcela
zuma - isn't he the cutest?
marcella - yes, he's eclectic, but wonderful.
thank you all for reading!
he made me sad but makes me smile too..hes braver than ill ever be.
What a fantastic kid you got there, lady.
Oh, yeah...
he's pretty lucky, too
mb - thank you, how are your two boys doing?
owl, thank you for rating, and yes, the wonderboy is very special.
tijo, thank you, i'm working my way thru your back post and enjoying every minute.
havlin and gwen: thank you for your kind words, poor wonderboy never had a chance as i used to play sinatra and madeline peyroux to soothe him to sleep in the NICU. also, before nominating me for mother of the year, you might want to speak with the father residing lucie the charming demon child, who has been in a pitched battle with me since birth! :)