alexander returns to school

My mother would probably be in the emergency room right now if she had been here watching Alexander get ready to leave.  My mother arrives everywhere early.  When she stays with me, and she needs to catch a 9am bus from Port Authority (8^th and 42^nd) back to the Cape, she is out the door, hailing a cab no later than 7:30.

Not Alexander.

Last night, we are up taking timed quizzes (both together and against each other) on Sporcle, a site that has all sorts of quizzes on all sorts of topics.  Here’s the link, but a warning:  this site is highly addictive.

http://www.sporcle.com/

My geography knowledge is laughable.  I can't even place Russia on a blank map of Asia.  When Alexander was little, one of his favorite toys was a talking globe.  He knows the most obscure countries, and I can’t even find the major ones.  Take Africa, for example.  Alexander is stunned I remember Chad but forget Egypt.  As time is ticking down, he starts giving me hints.  For example, his hint for Somalia is, “Bad people.  Very Bad.  You don’t want to be in the waters around this country.”  When I still don’t get it, Alexander tries the obvious.  “Pirates.  In the news.” Even then, I don't name the right country.  Nor do I get his hint for Jordan.  "A famous basketball player who played for the Bulls."     We switch to movie  quizzes.  I think I'll excel here, but Alexander’s knowledge is more impressive than mine. He remembers every detail from every movie he’s ever seen.  Finally, at 2:30 am, after three hours of playing, and so many laughs, we stop and go to bed. 

This morning, Alexander gets up around 11, and starts to pack.  “I think I’ll take the 12:30 bus he announces.”  My mother would already be at Port Authority by now.  Alexander packs leisurely.   I offer to make him eggs, but add, “I don’t think you’ll have enough time.”  “No, I do, " he assures me.  And miraculously he does.  

Alexander loves school this year and is excited to go back.  He is happier than he appears in this photo.

He leaves the house around 12:10, finds a cab, and makes it to Port Authority at 12:29 (according to his phone).  He zooms downstairs, just as the bus is about to leave.  It is not crowded; he gets a seat by himself; and calls to tell me he’s on the bus.

Alexander's room will now be neater.    The kitchen will be cleaner.  The living room won’t have random glasses everywhere.  Food will last much longer. Paper towels and toilet paper won’t evaporate.  Loud thumping music won’t fill the house.  But still, I already miss him.