That was a tough request at any event involving children and parents, especially if there was any kind of performance. Parents seemed to always be on the edge of their seats waiting for any opening to clap wildly and let the children know they were just thrilled to be there.
The concert was the perfect length. Long enough that the parents were becoming aware of just how hard and scratchy the seats were, and not so short that they didn’t feel their little offspring hadn’t had a chance to really shine. All of the songs were easily recognizable no matter what random notes occasionally appeared and all of the students looked pleased with their individual performances. Even little Connie Babcock, who was known to burst into spontaneous tears over a perceived slight no one else could fathom, looked happy.
Wallis had managed to get out of the auditorium ahead of the crowd and stood near the door into the cafeteria where the cookies and soda were set up, waiting for Ned to appear.
“Hey,” he said breathlessly, shoving the recorder at her as he dashed by, heading straight for the cookies.
“Hey, yourself,” said Wallis, still standing back a little, waiting for Ned to return from the mass of kids who were trying to grab a handful before all of the good ones, anything with chocolate, were gone.
“Where’s Dad?” asked Ned, balancing the cookies against his chest as he chewed on a mouthful. “You see any soda?” He looked around the room, his attention already gone.
“Being your parent is good self-esteem training,” said Wallis.
Ned turned back, amused. “Okay, I’ll give you a second, but only because it’s easier to pay up now, than later.”
“I’ll take it. I’m also hoping this early training is giving me a thick enough skin when you go away to college to not try and move in next to you.”
Ned arched his eyebrows and stuffed another cookie into his mouth.
“Dad would never let you,” he said, spraying out cookie crumbs.
“You’re awfully confident your Dad won’t be a problem when it comes to letting go. You might be surprised.”
“I don’t think that. I just know he’d miss you.”
Wallis smiled. “Good save, child of mine. Go get your soda. I’ll be over here. Did you see where Paul’s mom has gotten to?” she said, straightening a lock of dark hair on his forehead.
Ned ducked away from her hand and pointed toward the far wall. “She’s leaning over there,” he said.
Wallis looked in the direction Ned was pointing and saw Sharon glumly leaning against a wall not talking to anyone but trying to look happy about it.
“Fifteen minutes Ned, and then we’re out of here,” she said, tapping him hard on the shoulder so he’d know the game was back on and he was last. Wallis stepped back into the crowd of people, smiling hard as she watched Ned grow mildly frustrated trying to decide whether or not to go for the soda or follow her. He popped another cookie in his mouth and turned for the tables.
“Hey, Sharon,” said Wallis, taking up a space next to her and leaning back against the wall. “Did you get a cookie?”
“No, it looked a little dangerous and once the chocolate ones are gone there are only those bland round cookies. You two staying much longer?”
“Not too much. Been a long day, time to go home, find Norman, watch him make dinner.”
Sharon let out a short laugh. “You’re so lucky. Norman have a brother?”
“Yes, two, and they both appear to be very helpful, but they’re no Norman.”
“Even Norman-lite would be a good idea.”
“Can Paul come over and have dinner with us?” Ned and Paul had run up breathless and sweaty. A smudge of chocolate had appeared in the center of Ned’s shirt.
“You’ll still eat dinner?”
Ned drew his mouth up into a small look of frustration.
“Of course, don’t I always?” he said hurriedly. “Can he?” he said, looking first at Wallis and then at Sharon. Must be so hard to have to get so many people’s approval before you can do anything, thought Wallis.
“It’s okay with me, if…” she gestured toward Sharon.
“Sure,” she said reluctantly. “I’ll come by around eight to get him?”
Wallis knew Sharon didn’t like eating alone and was hinting at being included, and normally Wallis would have suggested it before Sharon even had a chance to wonder, but she needed to get Norman alone for awhile before dinner. Sharon was going to have to buck up her own chin tonight.
“Norman can drop him off and they can work on any homework together after dinner, right?” she said, giving Ned a look.
“Sure, sure, yeah, yeah,” said Ned, bobbing his head.
“Then you have a deal,” said Wallis.
“Great,” whispered Paul and the two boys were off, dodging in and out of the crowd, weaving their way back over to the table.
“I suppose I should have said something about no more cookies before I completely lost Paul,” said Sharon.
“Oh well, sometimes you have to eat dessert first.”