The Son Teacher and the Father Student 31; the Interview

This one is a tad different what we did was an interview of an eight year old boy. Some of the answers are bantering on things we have done already. For example; “What is your favorite color?” “Today it is red”. We early on realized that our favorite color changes from time to time. Like if there is a yellow breasted bird, yellow. If a flower catches our fancy maybe red.

The interview was done over a Saturday when we hid from the heat at Home Depot, the bike shop and the library. I told him what I was doing and he was all in.

Home Depot

F: What is your favorite plant here?

S: Sunflowers and the Lemon Tree.

F: Why?

S: Why not?

F: OK that is illegal, you have to give an answer not a question.

S: The colors and the smell.

As we move into the lighting Isle as that is “why” we are there.

F: Find a 65 watt, energy saving, light for our ceiling lights. You know it is hard for me to read that really small print. Do you like helping me do stuff?

S: This kind of stuff is cool but not helping you clean.

F: Point taken. Did you find it?

S: Yes right here with three.

F: Oops I forgot to say daylight bright, it is for the kitchen. Does it bother you when I make a mistake like that?

S: No, I like it because I like to correct you, that is the bestest.

F: Ok we got it now, we will come back to pick it up after we cruise around. What is your favorite section?

S: Lumber because I like to think about what I could build. And that is where the birds sneak in and fly around. They also have the forklifts down there. Did you know mommy can drive one?

F: Yes, she got a certificate because in her job she used to move stuff around for customers. What do you think about that?

S: It is funny because she is a little girl. And big guys are supposed to drive those.

F: Son do you know the difference between a lady and a girl?

S: Girls are girls and boys are boys. But I know mom is older but she is still a girl.

F: Fair enough and I bet mom likes you calling her a girl.

On to the bike shop to “pick up some stem adapters for his BMX tires”. Again an excuse to look at cool stuff and enjoy the air conditioning. He has the best bike you can get, given to him by “uncle” Dan. But like most men, you cannot ever have too much cool stuff. He is looking for softer more comfortable seats. Of course he picks out one for an old man beach cruiser.

F: Son you do realize that is not for a high performance bike?

S: Why can’t they put a softer one on my bike?

F: Hey no answering questions with a question.

S: I don’t really care about that silly rule. Not all rules are good.

F: Well it is not a rule just what is best. Should I put racing tires on our 14 year old Corolla?

S: That would be silly and look stupid. I guess I get it now.

F: Hey there is one for me. You know why I gave my bike to the Vets don’t you?

B: I got this one. To fix it costs more than it is worth. Like my remote control toys.

F: Wow that was like a year ago and you remember?

B: On course that is why I tell you, you already told me so much.

F: What is your favorite thing about money?

B: Nothing. I don’t use money. Mom buys everything for me.

F: What about field trips and Ice Cream Tuesdays at school. You get money to spend.

B: If mom didn’t have money to give me then I would care.

F: Do you know what investment means.

B: No. Do I care?

F: I can tell you already know it is about money. But there is a more valuable kind of investment.

B: You already told me again. Time. Remember when we were practicing soccer and you wanted me to kick for 5 minutes?

F: And did I ever tell you that when you are real smart you need to use it but not show off?

B: That is a good one. That is why I am so shy about my school work. So don’t tell me not to be shy.

F: Do you think shy and not bragging are the same?

B: Yes.

F: Who is the president of the United States?

B: Obama Trump. I know it is Trump, I just say that to bug you.

F: Who pays for the roads?

B: The government.

F: Who pays for the government?

B: Mommy.

Both just love the library. The boy just explores and is constantly bringing his father books to look at. The father gets a reference type book and tries to read it – basically to no avail. Books are generally not “taken out” as there is an Auxiliary book sales room. We like to buy as we don’t worry about returning and the money helps support programs for children there.

F: Here you go son, your first graphic novel. Look at it for a second at let me know what you think.

B: Ok, one second – done. Just kidding I know that is an idiom.

F: What is your favorite idiom?

B: Same as yours, “pissing into the wind”. It is funny but makes sense to not do something stupid.

F: I only have 4$ cash on me so what do you want to buy? You know I only shop for what is on a list ahead of time.

B: I want a chapter book and a hero book.

F: We can do that. Why?

B: I like chapter books now. Cool stories that go on. And heroes because they are exciting.

F: So my writing is boring?

B: For sure dad. And I do not get that poetry you make me read.

F: How about songs. Do you like the words or just the sound? You hum a lot.

B: Dad that is because I do not know all the words. Memorizing is hard for me.

F: So be it son. Do you know what that means?

B: Your favorite. “it is what it is”. But that means not to try.

F: Good point. Can you change people?

B: hihihihi that is like pissing into the wind. Too funny.

F: Why do you think you are so smart?

B: It is what it is. That is funny, I can say what you say back to you. That is really fun.

B: Can we stop the interview? I am tired of it.

F: Do you know that being tired of something is not a reason to stop doing it? Do you do that before you finish school work?

B: I said no more interviewing. Fine, I get it. But we usually do not finish a book in one reading and I do not do my whole week homework in one day – so there.

Life is pretty danged good around here. I wonder how a boy over fifty years younger can be best friends with his father. Just a thought.