Terry's 3M's

By Thursday, we had had several days of light thunderstorms in the afternoon. Every day, it seemed overcast and around noon, the sky would darken and whether or not there was rain, there would be thunder and lightning in the distance.

We rather hoped that this would not be the case on this Thursday, as we headed towards the park for the kids to play and John to have a visit with his dad.

Now, for the last two visits, we had gone by bicycle with varying degrees of discomfort. I, because I was lugging a large tote bag filled with plates, silverware, condiments, etc. for a picnic lunch, would often be unbalanced.

At the park, G would be waiting, sitting at a picnic table with a largish styrofoam cooler beside him with drinks and lunchmeat or hot dogs and hamburger inside. When it became time to leave, he would leave the cooler for us to tote home. Which is rather uncomfortable and awkward to do on a bicycle.

This time, I would bring the hamburger and lighter fluid along with the plates, silverware, etc. And I insisted that Delton drive us there.

Johnny was disappointed at first, and the rest of us were surprised to see G sitting there...just G. No bags of bread, no cooler, no bag of charcoal, just G. Johnny was especially disappointed as his dad had promised to get him a box of the new Oreos cereal.

G came up with the excuse that didn't really make any sense. He said he was broke because he had to pay an extra two weeks rent because the apt. complex was going to have an audit.

Excuse me? What has that got to do with HIS rent? If he was paid up, he was paid up.

I was almost hoping that he would tell me that it was a test to see if Johnny wanted to see just him, or if Johnny just wanted to see him because of the THINGS that he's always bringing to give to him. I would have thought that the timing was off as I doubt if they'll see each other again until around Thanksgiving, but...

Personally, I think he was gambling again. He does that every so often. Just goes out and blows a whole paycheck. But, at least, he never blows the rent money. He used to that when we were together as a family. A roof over our head, but, no groceries in the house.

I had brought a couple of bagels for breakfast, but, by 10, the kids wanted the fire lit, and the hamburgers cooked. Well, we did it.

We couldn't wait for the charcoal to burn down to coals, so we threw the burgers on as soon as it was lit. There wasn't enough fuel to cook the meat thoroughly, so we supplemented the charcoal with cardboard that we found in the trash cans. We had a perfectly edible lunch.

I watched them for quite a while. Gary decided to leave early and I decided to try out the swings.

I looked at the swings and they seemed like they could support my weight. I wavered. I haven't been on a swing since I had been an adult. I can't even remember the last time I was on a swing as a kid.

Let's see. Wow! These seats are kinda high. No wonder the kids grap the chains and jump into the seat. I'm standing on tiptoe. Ok. I'm broad in the rear, so it's a snug fit...but, it fits. Lift my feet off the ground. Well, it's not much yet.

Lean back some. Put legs straight out. Pressure from butt to push forward just a little. Bring legs down. Up. Forward. Down on the back swing. Here we go! Pump. Pump. Pump. I'm doing it!

Wheee! I'm getting higher and higher. Wow! I forgot how much fun this could be! I'm really swinging again...after over a quarter of a century!

Whoa! My stomach is getting a little fluttery. Oh, man. I'm getting motion sickness. It's just 'cuz I'm not used to it.

I'll stay on the swings a little longer next time.