B is notorious for making friends. He is bubbly, has a huge personality, and is full of life. When he was little he was slow to speak. He only used fractions of words and eventually we had a wonderful speech therapist come to our home and work with him twice a week.
His speech finally took off, and by the age of 5 he spoke in pretty complex speech patterns, and was miles ahead of other kids his age. At his preschool, he requested to sit with the teachers at lunch because, “they like to visit and the other kids just make fart noises.” He has always had an affinity to spend his time with adults.
B: Mom! Mom! Mom!
Me: What’s up?
B: Burt said he will take me surfing with him. Can I go surfing with him?
Me: Who is Burt?
B: My friend down the street. You know, Burt, the old dude.
Me: Who?
B: Mom! He lives 2 houses over. The house that Jimmy (age 50) was house-sitting. He came home today, and he said he would take me surfing.
Me: No. Sorry Bud. You can’t go surfing with someone I don’t know.
This continued for the better part of two weeks. B would skateboard with Jimmy and his friend, “Burt” every evening after work. Then he would beg me to surf, and I would say no. For starters, B is really good at inviting himself to do things. I was sure that was the case in this instance. One afternoon before we were going to head home for the start of school …
B: Mommy, can I please go surfing with Burt one time before we leave?
Me: I don’t know, buddy. How old is this guy?
B: Maybe 60.
M: and he wants to take you surfing?
B: Yeah. He told me to bring my mom down to meet him and then he would take me surfing.
M: Did you invite yourself?
B: No, mom. I promise. He asked me to go surfing.
M: Ok. Let’s go meet him.
No offense to Burt if he is reading this (which he probably isn’t), but I originally thought he was in his late 50’s or early 60’s. Mostly because that’s what Brady told me, also because his name is Burt, and probably because of where he lives … regardless. Burt is definitely not 60! He’s not even 40!