what we talk about when we don't talk about the childrens' multiple personalities (or viggo mortenson)...

mac and i decide to go to the movies today. (don't worry. we'll get to the children. we always do.) it takes us a little under an hour to decide on one (eastern promises). begins at 2. mac says something like, "i'll meet you there at 1:40." this seems a little excessive. it reminds me of my sister, who says things like, "if you get to the movie one minute late, i'm going in without you." and then when i am one minute late, drags me in by the arm.

i negotiate. 1:48 it is. i go to the sport authority store before. for cross trainers. seems to me between asics and new balance, someone would get it right: a shoe across between silver socks and lumber jack hiking boots. i find a pair. i grab a propel sport water. i walk next door to the theater. mac is not playing video games, which i had predicted. instead, he is spending 12000 dollars at concession. i approach. he hands me two 96 ounce cherry cokes. he's holding a tub of popcorn the size of dallas, says, "if we finish it, we get refills." he chastises me for not grabbing enough napkins. it's too much. all of it. i gain a hundred pounds by simply looking at the soda.

when i get to my parents' house later today, they hand me a paint can and instruct me to take it to molly's house (the sister). when i get there, gavin (husband, saint of a brother in law) is sitting in a fold out tailgating chair on the lawn, miller lites surrounding, "when doves cry" is blaring from the ipod thing. luke, the two year old, is wearing a phillies hat so big it comes down to his nose. he's bumping into things. morgan, age five, is leaning against a tree, sobbing. i go to her because she seems the most in need somehow.

me: what happened?

her: justin said he's having a party and i can't come.

i roll my eyes. this is boy/girl 101. i'm annoyed and slightly disappointed. have i taught her nothing?

me: this is easy, morg. you tell him you're having your own party and that he's not invited.

i'm mortified that she's run away from him, crying. the running away i can get down with, but this show of vulnerability.

me: listen, you can hang out with me. i'm cooler. older.

meanwhile, i'm holding a blue stuffed alien that talks. she tells me it's called a bibble. she looks wary.

i play soccer with the dog and a tennis ball. morgan goes inside, comes back with hand drawn invitations. she stomps to the cul de sac, where the boys are. i hear her say:

"i'm having an end of the year halloween party. you are all invited except that you can't bring your bikes or justin."

side note: luke is not actually drinking miller lite. i would never allow anyone i love except for gavin drink such an abomination.