A question of dignity
House on Red Corner · 2008-05-19
EJ and I shuffled off to the playground on Saturday - the beginning of our weekend together. Husband had been granted leave to attend a geekfest for his birthday.
So there we were, 8.30 am in the morning, at the playground. At about 10, my bladder decided we should leave. But lo and behold, Paloma, her tiara, and her retinue appeared with food and drinks for a gaggle. Oh dear - a birthday party in the playground. Paloma’s minders tried to ignore me at first, until they ran out of room and I allowed that they could use the table I was sitting at also - it was a public park, after all.
Paloma was amused by EJ to begin with. They joyfully made a mess of bubbles together and EJ was introduced as Paloma’s new friend when the first guest arrived. I was introduced as “just a park patron”. I enjoyed some of their grapes anyway. As the playground swelled with the noise of youngsters, Paloma approached me and said “you might as well leave now.”
I had been lobbying to leave, but now, we would stay, bladder be damned. Oh yes, for pizza and cupcakes, too. I started chatting with people. I offered sunscreen to a pale Londoner, I found the lost mommy of a little French guest, I complimented the hula hoop technique of a grunge rock dad.
Five hours after we had arrived, we left, tired and triumphant.