Dreaming of family
Finally got a replacement car-rental service and woke up early on Monday to see my mom for the first time in months.
I’d rented a cheap Civic but because of a whole mess of issues, they gave me a BMW instead. While that was nice, there were even more issues with the BMW so I ended up leaving an hour later than I wanted to.
Made an executive decision to see my son first. Chatted a bit with Lviv on the way there.
Me: I have to keep you safe from COVID.
Lviv: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I figure I can’t make out with anyone for three days before I see you.
Her: (laughing) I appreciate it. You’re sacrificing a lot.
Me: It’s cause I care.
My mother-in-law told my son to keep an eye out for “workmen,” so he kept a watchful eye on the front windows. When he saw me, he started screaming, “Papa! Papa!”
It was really something. I can’t explain it to you unless you’re a parent.
After a quick lunch, helped my in-laws set up a new router that I brought over because their old one was giving them spotty service.
MIL: How much do we owe you for the router?
Me: I think I owe you more for childcare.
Her: (laughing) Grandparents don’t charge for childcare, Logan.
Me: And I don’t charge for tech help, mom.
The kid and I spent the day together, including going for a drive around town. He sang the Rolling Stones the entire time. He’s not a fan of Paint It Black.
Every time I leave, it seems to get harder and harder.
Him: I wish you could stay.
Me: Just a little bit longer. Promise. Once you come back, you’ll get sick of me and miss your grandparents.
Him: (nods)
Then I dashed off to see my mom and my sister and her family.
Because of the rain – and because I wasn’t feeling all that great – only saw them for 15 minutes. No hugging or anything. Goddamn COVID.
Mom: Here’s some money.
Me: What? (laughing) You don’t need to give me anything.
Her: It’s for your birthday. Buy something nice for yourself. And here are some 粽子.
Me: Man, so many carbs.
Her: It’s tradition!
I took the Belt Parkway to get home because I wanted to check in on Mouse. Her family’s dealing with stuff that I’ll let you read about yourself.
Me: Your dad ok?
Her: He wasn’t getting better and we had to get lawyers involved.
Me: Shoot, I’m sorry.
We only got to chat for a little bit, which was interrupted by fireworks going off literally 10 feet behind us and people knocking on our windows.
Stranger: Bring her to a hotel!
Me: (puzzled) We’re just talking.
She and I almost slipped into an argument before we checked ourselves. It was nice seeing her.
It was late when I headed home. Drove by BrightBea’s pad but we don’t know each other well enough for me to just show up unannounced.
Besides, I was cutting it close, returning the car.
A lotta people don’t know, but NYC’s traffic lights are timed at 25 miles an hour, which makes sense since that’s our speed limit.
Here’s me hitting every green light around Park Slope.
Got back to the garage in the nick of time and then picked up some packages from the doormen next door before calling it a night.
Him: I’m glad you finally got to see your family.
Me: You and me both, man.
Podcast Version
Location: home, cleaning and still dreaming of family
Mood: homesick
Music: I can’t resist (Spotify)
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