"We got a good one," Alec said.⠀
⠀
It was almost 11pm and I was wearing a mask standing on the sidewalk about fifteen feet down from him as he sat on a lawn chair on his front porch. Spring blooms lined the path which led about ten feet up to where he sat facing me and the street behind me. I felt a bit like I was suddenly alone in the throne room of a castle about to hear a piece of wisdom from the wise old king. ⠀
⠀
Sidewalks up and down the street were empty. TV screens kaleidoscoped like the northern lights through living room curtains. Flickering streetlights cast a dim yellow shadow over our faces. It felt like the throne room was surrounded by giant stained-glass windows while a lightning storm raged down outside. ⠀
⠀
"Danielle and I both had morning meetings at work so we asked our boys to organize the basement like a zoo. They made tickets, got dressed up, and had to classify and set up all their toys and stuffed animals by habitat. You know, reptile house, boreal forest, Asia pavilion, 'mythical creatures', whatever."⠀
⠀
I loved the idea and looked up at him for the big payoff. ⠀
⠀
He knew I wanted it.⠀
⠀
He waited a moment. ⠀
⠀
And then he smiled. ⠀
⠀
And it finally came. ⠀
⠀
"It took them the whole morning!" ⠀
⠀
AWESOME!