Hot 4th in A New Chapter

I ended up seeing my old friend Daryl and his family for July 4th.
It was absurdly hot outside. His family had rented this gigantic Airbnb which was simply insane. It had 10 rooms and 5 bathrooms, a game room with arcade machines, a pool, and all types of other crap. We didn’t really spend much time with any of that tho. Most of the time we were just sitting round eating and chatting. Honestly, it was really fun catching up and meeting his kids, who I haven’t seen in a few years. During one of our chats he had mentioned that the kids need a bit of special help and I can see it. They seem like normal kids but the boy, who is 8, is afraid of going upstairs. Like really afraid, meaning that whenever he went to get something to the second floor, someone had to follow along.

The family has been making the annual trip to this area but this is the first time Daryl came. In the past they didn’t feel ready to bring the kids but they tried it out and enjoyed it. They mentioned doing it again next year so we will be able to hang out. Next time he will drive over and spend some time with us. He has a cousin down in West Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago area, and of course her and her husband are total assholes.

Daryl drove down to see Lexi, the cousin, and she was basically a bitch to them. Apparently she has become wealthy in the last few years and can’t handle anyone who isn’t. They drove the three hours and all she offered them was a cheese sandwich. Like, literally a cheese sandwich. When they were leaving, they asked for restaurant recommendations and she just kinda dodged the question. It was they way of indirectly asking about going out together. So next time, no more Lexi, they come to see us instead.

At one point I was outside grilling with his brother-in-law, Andy. We were just talking crap about work, life, politics, etc. The usual “guy talk.” Andy said he was happy to meet me. It was a bit of a heartwarming moment. He mentioned that I always get brought up as the “epic childhood friend.” Whenever they’re in the area we grew up in, Daryl always mentions “oh I remember we did this here, one time we came here and this happened, etc.” It’s nice to know that other people also remember the same things and have a positive outlook about those memories.

My birthday is a few days away and honestly, I’m not feeling it.
I rarely “feel” my birthday but this year its even less.
Last year, my birthday had a funny yet tragic moment.
My mom took me out for sushi with the baby, my wife was away at the time. She traveled home to visit her grandma and family for a few weeks. That morning my mom had donated blood. We were sitting at the restaurant and I noticed my mom was almost like nodding off. I asked her if she was ok and she said she didn’t feel well. The baby was curious and confused. Eventually she put her head down and looked like she fell asleep.

My wife and friends find this part funny and really, I could have handled the situation better.
I kept whispering “mom! wake up! we’re out in public! don’t do this to me!” and I was splashing her with water from my drink. Not many people were at the restaurant. I got up and sat next to her and kinda sat her up. She regained consciousness and asked what happened. Shortly after she fainted again and this time people did notice.

I called 911 and followed their instructions. I had to put my mom on the ground and she woke up. Meanwhile, the waitresses were playing with the baby and took him to see stuff in the kitchen (which I’m sure is a health violation of some sort but who cares.) Baby loves vehicles, specially fire trucks and ambulances. When he saw the flashing lights he lost his mind and started making “vroom vroom” noises.

Paramedics came and everything was fine. They too played with the baby. I had called my dad who was at the gym for help. I was rushing so I didn’t say where I was. I just said “sushi restaurant” and we have a lot of them around. He started driving and rushing with his wife (my mom and dad’s new wife were in speaking terms back then) to every restaurant and asking if anyone fainted.

Everyone else thought it was hilarious that my main concern was not making scene. “MOM! wake up! you’re making a scene!” is what I kept hearing.

The aftermath:
-We went home. My mom asked me if she had peed her pants. I said I emptied an entire glass of water on her. She asked why, I shrugged.
-My mom asked why I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t get a photo op of baby with the firefighters/paramedics since he loves those vehicles. “Oh I don’t know, you were barely conscious on the fucking ground of a Japanese restaurant.”

So yeah, that was my birthday. I’m not looking forward to this one.

Music: Lately by Massive Attack

See You Later Space Cowboy.