The monster mash was outside in the school parking lot. I met Bobby's teacher and some of my friends. I said hello to teachers who had taught little miss Haana and we had loved them. When hunger struck, we each got ourselves a pizza slice. When we sat around listening to music, munching on pizza, a ninja warrior came by, a little too close if you ask me. He tried to touch Bobby with his ninja sword, but Bobby with his quick law enforcement reflexes ducked just in time. Giggling ensued. Along with a game of tag. Turns out the ninja was Yug from class. They met up with Pranit, and a collective game began on the spot. Bobby ran away only to came back to drop off parts of his costume that were just a bit too much now. Soon I was the only cop and feeling a bit out numbered by the wild gang! Good thing right about now Raj ambled by too!
Soon Bobby came to tell me that he needs to have a play date at Yug's the next day. I walked over to the parents and made new friends. They were at home the next day and would love the kids to hang out and play at their home. And so it was settled. I was to drop Bobby after 4pm on Saturday.
The next day, due to a myriad of reasons I don't quite remember, we were late getting out for Bobby's play date - something he scolded me about the entire way over. When we got to their house and rang the doorbell, Bobby seemed a bit surprised that I wasn't gonna stay the whole time. I got nervous if he was nervous. But then the door opened and Bobby met Yug and even more fun - he met all of Yug's legos and toys at his house. And instantly he didn't need me anymore. I said my byes and headed out. As the door closed i realized - this was Bobby's very first play date - where i drop him and leave!! So far its always been that his neighborhood buddies play in each other's house but can head on home whenever needed (they never do head home of their own accord, obviously. They have to be beckoned, physically retrieved, or told to go home!!). But this was the very first time I was dropping him and leaving. Wow! What a big boy moment for us all!!
Part of me wanted to head back and find an excuse to just hangaround at their house. But Aby was in the car. And our plan was to drop Bobby and then for Aby and i to head to a nearby cafe and work from there. We found a really good cafe less than 5 minutes from their place. And so i left Bobby.
When i picked him up he was happy. And he wanted to head home. And he was very hungry. I was too! And so we all raced back home - happy but done!
