Conversation: Mom and Me...

Mom and I chat a lot, and those conversations tend to go towards some of the striking similarities between Mister, my stepdad, and Didgeridoo Boy. We didn't see them at first - Mister's very traditional, Didgeridoo Boy performed a series of silly walks away from that path ages and ages ago. More often than not, our phone calls end with one of us saying, "Oo. What was that noise? Hold on.....Let me run. I need to go see what he's doing." If that doesn't happen, we will be mid topic when one, or both, of them will come in and begin a fresh, new conversation, totally irrelevant to what we're discussing, with the outcome being a gentle reminder, "I am on the phone right now, and will be there in just a minute."

At least weekly, our talks go towards, "I just straightened that up, and he put stuff all over it again. And he's saying I moved something that I did not move - - I am going to tie it around his neck!" We've phoned each other while hiding in the bedroom from television sets that have been turned up so loud they're hurting our ears, and other times to compare notes on what we consider epic breaches of etiquette.

(From their side, they think we're a little uptight.)

Anyway, to the conversation. As I mentioned a few entries ago, Didge has been helping Mister with the annual spring ransack-cleaning of their very large yard. They took a break for one of Mom and Mister's frequent trips and to let Didge recover from a hefty case of muscle soreness, but as of today, it's back on. I called Mom to touch base:

GKG: "Hi, Mom! Just calling to check in."

Mom: "Oh, good. I'm trying to cook breakfast and Joe's (that's Mister)....well, I think....never mind. What did you say?"

GKG: "I said I was just calling to check in. Everything okay over there?"

Mom: "Yes.....is everything okay over there with you.....hold on.....I don't know where he is."

GKG: "Well, I won't keep you, I just wanted to know if we're still on for Trey (that's Didge) and Mister this afternoon at 1.30."

Mom: "Oh! Yes, yes we are...at 1.30. Joe wants to get out in the yard."

GKG: "Cool! I'll have him over there. He's really been looking forward to it." (pause)

GKG: "Oh, hell."

Mom: "What's the matter?"

GKG: "It's like we're booking a play date."

Much laughter ensued, maybe too much. We ended by joking about getting the boys together so they could play in the yard. Mom said she would make sure to feed Mister his lunch, and I said I would try to get Didge to eat his. I stopped short of saying I would send some juice boxes and snacks for them to share.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure Didge has a clean pair of socks in his day pack.