On a Sunday afternoon of a three day weekend, Todd (twelve year old grandson) phoned me. "Hey Meme! (may may) I don't have school tomorrow. Tess (his eleven year old sister) is going to a sleep over. Tanner (eight year old brother) is going someplace too. How about you pick me up and I'll come over for the night?" I was elated! Just think, when he's in college, a sleepover with his grandmother, no matter how cool that I think I am, won't be so appealing.
I pulled into the driveway and to my surprise, Tanner was the first to hop into the back seat with his backpack, electronics and a huge smile: "I decided I want to go with Todd and you!" Todd came out, loaded his bag into the trunk, informed me that he was going to plug his phone in to charge, while riding shot gun, declared himself the DJ, found "Uptown Funk" on Sirius Z 100 NY, then asked what are our plans for dinner. The boys were thrilled that we were going to have a pizza party at Uncle Nick's (my son, their Mom's older brother, who sports a "No Kids! I Rock As An Uncle!" T-Shirt).
Todd showed Nick videos on his phone, Nick showed Tanner some new magic tricks. We talked Sonic (who knew that he started out as an air freshener), pizza, computers, You-Tube and so it went.
In the morning, over breakfast, Todd decided that we should go bowling. Tanner agreed. Ah-ha. Bowling? There is a bowling alley not far from my home. I had been inside of it during a fundraiser, years ago. Tiff (their Mom), Todd, Tess, Tanner and I went with an organization to raise money for "Hair For Kids". They bowled, I chit chatted, ate, drank, bought raffles as Tiff bowled with Tanner balanced on her hip.
The boys were slightly concerned at the admission desk, when I turned to Todd and asked: "Do you know how to keep score?" Todd: "Earth, swallow me up now! Meme! It's 2016! It's all computers and electronics now! Maybe you had to keep score with pencils or something in the old days, but, really Meme? Don't you know anything about bowling? Didn't you ever bowl? The gentleman behind the desk stifled a chuckle and assigned us to an alley, right in front of his station.
While putting on rented shoes, I cleared my murky bowling past by explaining:
"The last time that I picked up a bowling ball and actually tried to send it down an alley to hit pins was when I was a Junior in High School. My friend, Eileen had a crush on a Senior, Mark. Mark's best friend was Bob. Mark and Bob went bowling after school on Tuesdays with the school's Bowling Club. Eileen said: 'Laura, let's bowl on Tuesdays after school. Bob thinks you're cute and he's Mark's best friend.' Well, this fashionista bought a pair of light beige bowling shoes, coordinated outfits and became well acquainted with Bob. I was relieved when the guys graduated. There was no way that my all time high score of 27 would improve. Yes, by the way, I saw Bob for years afterwards, but thankfully, bowling never came up. I dated another guy who bowled regularly, but, I just watched and socialized with friends while he did." Todd and Tanner laughed and said that they could just picture me worrying about my hair, make up, outfits and forgetting that I was supposed to be bowling.
Then, the harsh reality that we would be bowling in Todd, Tanner, Meme order set in. The boys gave me tips, coached, tried finding the right ball for me (I wound up mooching theirs), drank a river of Sprite, cheered, booed, "No Meme! This Way!" Guess what? We bowled three games and I scored 99, 100 and 87! Todd was the champion - strikes and happy dances. Tanner pulled in a respectable second, no dancing but plenty of wise cracks. Me? I think that Mr. Universe would be impressed with such strength that I displayed to continuously pick up that ball and roll it down the alley...I only slid along with it once! I did some fancy footwork dancing the "Hey! Did you see that? I hit those and the pins fell down!" Todd's response: "See, Meme, you can bowl! Now, try not to go down the alley with the ball and don't get tired dancing..you have more pins to knock down!" But, as it is said: No pain, no gain. I did score, but, I broke a nail! Oh nuts.
As we returned our bowling shoes and thanked the attendant, his pleasant face crinkled in a smile and said: "I'm glad that you enjoyed yourself. Boys, your Mom sure can dance!" Todd: "She's our grandmother and man oh man, she can dance way better than she can bowl!"
When I dropped off my two bowling buddies, I thanked Todd for calling me to pick him/them up. Todd: "Meme, you make everything fun" as both hugged and kissed me. Tanner said that he was surprised that I scored at all after hearing my story. Todd said that I should tell my old friends that I did better than 27 this time. Me: "I love you both so much. But, next time, do you think you could spare a strike?"
