The Stakeout or...

Two Old Bags Waiting in the Parking Lot

Before I begin my story, please let me explain something.

I have been divorced for 14 years.  In that time, I have had

been without children for less than 12 nights.  I have had a

babysitter approximately 8 times for an evening out.

I have, unintentionally, become a homebody.

Now that my mask is off,

here's the rest of the Prom Story...

I do not consider myself a 'helicopter parent.'

However, due a falling out several months ago,

I was pulled Becky out of Special Olympics and

have since been shunned but the other parents.

I'm OK with it.  Really.  Just giving you the back story.

I know the 'players' that would be attending Prom.

I know their strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore, I planned to have a quite

night in my car, reading, just in case there

was a meltdown or more and I was needed.

Lucky for me, I had more than one friend

offer to go with me so I wouldn't have to sit out in the parking lot alone.

I didn't want anyone to sacrifice a Saturday night

being bored out in my car with me.

However, Becky's Godmother and my friend of 35 years, insisted.

Becky traveled from the high school to the Prom

location with her 'date' and his Mom.

My friend, Terri and I went to a nearby local establishment

for a quick (albeit very loud) bite to eat.

Food was OK.  Company good.

Thankfully, there was dollar store in the area so we

headed over there. Two of Terri's cousins work there 

so the three of them had a good time catching up. Two the them hadn't see each other for 

8 years!

We had playing cards in the car thinking we'd play some Hand and Foot.

But while shopping, we couldn't resist a coloring book

and some markers.  You see, Terri's favorite pastime these days is coloring,

with or without her 6 year old granddaughter.  I've always loved to color

so I was right on board.

Before we left, I was going to show the gals my pictures of Prom on my camera

only to realize I did not have my camera!

After 30 minutes of panic, I remembered another Mom had borrowed it.

I was sad I didn't have it but so relieved I hadn't lost it!

So, after all of the excitement,

we went to a nearby parking lot to wait.

For the end of the dance.

For 10:30.

We eagerly got out the coloring book and markers

and with the windows rolled down, began to chat

and color, giggling a bit wondering what people would think 

if they spotted a 50 something and 60 something year old

sitting and coloring in their car!

We laughed as I told Terri how one blogger friend

said we should have doughnuts and coffee on our stakeout.

Terri wished for coffee but settled for a Root Beer.

We both longed for doughnut

but split a Baby Ruth instead.

And then...

something happened.

Some young men came whizzing down a hill,

at great speed, on skateboards.

Keep in mind, this was a VERY busy parking lot.

Terri immediately muttered loud enough for just me to hear

"Those idiot's!  They're going to get killed racing around like that!"

By now, it was getting too dark to color so we put everything away

and began watching people coming and going from the bowling alley

and theater.

This is when I glanced at the clock and said

"I just can't imagine going someplace at 8:20 at night."

Soon thereafter, Terri grabbed a sweater(that was her Mom's)

to put on and she was chilly.  Then she proceeded to tell me

how "rough" she was on her Mom because she was always cold.

This is something Terri and I shared...our aging and ailing Mom's always so cold.

I remember a June when I had the heat on in the house while my Mom lived here. 

It was 80 degrees outside and I had the heat on!

I did my best to grin and bear it but I wasn't always happy and that makes me sad now.

Anyway, fast forward a few years and there is Terri,

cold and wrapped up in her mother's sweater.

It was at that time we looked at each other and started laughing.

And then it hit us!

"When did we get so old????"  "We sound like a couple

of old bags sitting here talking like this.

We have become our Mother's...

worrying about those young whipper snappers,

coloring,

not going out after dark

and talking about 'remember when...'

Before we knew it, it was 10:25 and time

to head over to pick up my lovely daughter.

3.5 hours seemed like a long time to sit and wait in a car

but when you are with a good friend, time flies.

I have to thank my other friends for sending me texts...

checking on Becky, checking on me

and for loving and supporting us.