We spend a few chatting under the tent while Gregory admires his birthday loot. He loves his gifts, and I'm happy he got some things that he wanted. It's a good feeling. He's already wearing his new jersey. His mom had to fetch scissors to cut off an inside tag that bothered him, but it seems to fit well. He looks good in blue and white.
Why do shirts have inside tags, though?
How many tags does a piece of clothing need?
I'm waiting for the day when corporations print ads on a shirt tag, so we see them when we have to cut them off. They would probably be family friendly to avoid any legal stuff. Imagine them selling insurance or a food delivery service? How bleeped up but scary would that be? And if they have tags iron on or printed on, the ads would be printed, too, so you'll never be able to get it out of you mind whenever you decide to wear that shirt.
Hear that, richy ad agencies?
You're welcome.
Depending on which side you're on, I've either blessed the clothing industry with the best idea yet, or I've cursed the wary buyers. I'd like to think that I'm the mad middleman, plotting sides against each other while I sit back and laugh at the outrage, maybe cash in if I become a reaction video creator.
"You guys want to go in and find something to do? We can..."
You can never go wrong when choosing yourself.
"You three in?"
For what? What's happening?
"I...I guess," Max says.
Hold on.
"Chase?"
What are we doing?
"Uh, sure?" I just tell Max because I don't want him teasing me for spacing out.
"Kieran?"
"Yeah."
Kieran looks like he's shaken our basketball drama. He's been quiet the past half-hour, but he's willing to join us for...
Petting the cat?
Gregory and his friends are heading in for a Sugar-y sweet lovefest (sorry, I had to). It sucks to be Mom and Dad, who get cleanup duty. The things parents do for their kids. I did find out who the girl sucking on popsicles by the way. She's the neighbor's kid. Her dad came over during our basketball game to send his birthday wishes and check in. She must be a close family friend.
This girl has the snacks all to herself. I like her, she's got her priorities straight. I'd stay, but we pack into the living room for...
"What do you guys want to play?"
...Gaming?
"It's up to you," Blondie says. "It's your day."
Joy.
"Um..."
Can I join the girl?
"This?"
It's some party console game I haven't heard of.
"Sure."
Scratch that.
I've seen this game before on display during the holidays at Krodi's. It's various board games and sporty activities, rolled into one, boring. Gregory doesn't have enough controllers for everyone to play at once. I let them have at it. Max plays on his phone, Kieran watches Gregory, I think about the cat.
YOU ARE READING
Castling: A Novel (NaNoWriMo21)
Teen FictionIt's a slice-of-life centered around "Chase the Ace," who finds himself changing schools against his will mid-year to help make the most of that brain of his. It'll be good for him, they say. He won't be so bored. He'll get to be with an old friend...
