| 7/7/08—My neighbors got a pool yesterday. I
can hear them splashing around while I sit in my room
with my face 2 inches from the fan. They have a son
named Gary. To my knowledge, the kid has no friends
(he reportedly uses stuffed animals to reenact
congressional hearings he sees on C-Span). All that
cool water and no friends to share it with. Pity.
7/9/08—OK, for those of you who read my cousin Cal’s blog, don’t listen to him! He’s spreading rumors that I made friends with Gary just because of his pool. And yes, I admit, I’ve never spent time with Gary before. And it’s true I spent all day with him yesterday. And yes, we were in his pool. But that doesn’t prove anything.
7/11/08—Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with Gary, and we barely went in the pool. We recreated a congressional debate about a new land parcel allocation bill. It was inspirational when Senator Teddy Bear quoted the lyrics to “This Land Is Your Land” and then ripped up the song sheet to show his disgust. I almost cried. We did this during peak swimming hours. I was glad I was inside with Gary instead of floating on the clear-blue, crisp water. OK, I admit it! I’m friends with Gary for his pool! But he has a friend. And a fake friend is better than no friend, right?
7/14/08—Today, while I was in Gary’s pool, another kid from down the street came over and started playing with us. I betcha anything that kid never would’ve come if I hadn’t come first. I did a good thing. Gary now has two friends.
7/15/08—Today, Gary told me he didn’t want to swim. “Sorry, Alex,” he said. “But do we have to play every day?” “Don’t you have fun?” “Sure, but—well, I have other friends now. And, I don’t know how to say this, but . . . you’re kind of weird. You seem obsessed with stuffed animals.” I feel so used. A.J. Out! |
