Monday, January 31, 2011

Revenge of the teenage girl: how to embarrass your mother without even trying

Queen Teen and I took a walk to our favorite cafe (well, the only one open on a Sunday in Ukiah), something we do every Sunday when the weather is fine. She ordered a Vanilla Steamer and I a decaf-Cappuccino, which is our usual order. Settling in at one of our favorite tables, we sipped our drinks and played the "Eye-See" game.

Queen Teen: "I see a tree outside."

Me: "I see a big black truck."

Queen Teen: "I see a red hat."

Me: "I see a napkin on the floor."

The cafe was quiet with only a few customers: a man reading the newspaper at the table near ours and a couple talking intently while staring at a laptop screen. Even the barristas were quiet, one lazily wiping the counter while the other stared off into space. Queen Teen and I stopped playing our game and slipped into the same peaceful Sunday mood.

And then Queen Teen said, so loudly her voice echoed against the metal tables, "Mom, why are you playing with yourself?"

Every person in that room stopped what they were doing and stared at me. The room became absolutely quiet. I swear, even the announcer on the radio had paused for breath.

"I have a hangnail," I said too loudly, showing Queen Teen my torn cuticle "It's bugging me."

"You shouldn't play with yourself like that."

The man cleared his throat to keep from laughing, I think, and the barristas started whispering with big grins on their faces. The radio began playing another song as the couple with the laptop murmured about their work again, but the young man stared at me a bit longer.

I told Queen Teen to finish her drink.

5 comments:

EmmaVerdona124 said...

OMG I guess your kid really crack me up!!!!

Anonymous said...

I can relate. That is all I will say.

CC said...

hee hee!!!!

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

OMG! Peeing myself here...

Confessions of a Closet Hoarder but you can call me Judy said...

:::sort:::

I love it! :D