Last week, Sena was at sleep away camp for the third summer in a row, and Gus was at sailing camp during the day. So from 10-3, Arlo, Alamae, and I had the house to ourselves. And mostly we did stay home, except for the few hours I was able to convince Arlo to go to the pool with me, even if his big brother and sister weren't there. Arlo is never much for excursions of any sort, and he is even less amenable to them when there is no sibling pressure involved.
But finally, on Friday afternoon things started to move back towards normal. Gus took Arlo and me sailing as a part of his end of camp festivities, while Claire watched a pouting Alamae on the shore. The bay was calm and the sun was bright as Gus explained the terminology while he steered and guided me on how to control the sail. He was composed and handsome and so grown up. Watching my son do something I know nothing about was as humbling as it was beautiful.
We had to rush from Gus's camp to go pick Sena up her's. Upon finding her among the friends she made for a week, she almost instantly informed me that next year she is staying for two sessions. She never bothers missing me while she's gone, a fact that I used to lament but have grown to be proud of. The truth is I hope that she stays strong and independent, and that she never minds hot, bug filled days.
Instead of taking her straight home, we drove to the pool for what we have decided is going to be our new Friday night tradition. Claire, Andrew, Tom and baby Jeffrey met us there, and we swam until dark, eating pizza on the lounge chairs, and drinking grapefruit crushes to the sounds of splashing and laughter.
Saturday was book club, and luckily for me, it was a close meeting that started early enough that I could sneak in some time before heading to work. Unfortunately, I can't even tell you what book we were supposed to read. For the first time ever, I didn't read it. And I left before anyone started to discuss it in earnest. What I did have time enough for was to see all my friends gathered, babies on hip. To eat a banh mi. To be told that since I was the bossiest one around, I should get everyone to sing happy birthday to Ben and Ruby. To watch dogs jump and kids swing.
