Dating Caid

I was nervous. Pre-date jitters, you might say. Admittedly, we had not been out alone, together recently and conversation with my (almost) 4 year old recovering Lightning McQueen addict is bound to be clumsy at best and deafeningly silent at worst.  Like most women- I feared the silence. "You say it best when you say nothing at all" is a patently "male" perspective.  

 

But I nearly swooned at the sight of his handsome, belligerent profile- his flashing eyes scrunched against the searing sunlight as he stood in that unselfconscious way that little boys do. Dwarfed by his over-sized VBS t-shirt which was red- for Lightning- of course, he surveyed the trail ahead.   Hanauma Bay Ridge ascended into the cerulean skies before us as I attempted pre-school small talk while we hiked. Disney's Cars  is always a conversational safety net with Kincaid. As predicted- he succinctly rehearsed the plot -again- while I with-alarming accuracy- completed Lightning's lines for him.

 

Comparative superheroes was a natural transition from the "Ka-chow" karate-kicks.  As Kincaid reflected upon various superhuman exploits, he apologetically relayed,  "Mama, there are no girl superheroes." Ha! The tentacles of sexism reach even four year olds. I responded (and you're welcome Gloria Steinem), "Yes there are, Caiders! Have you heard of 'Wonder Woman'? No? Well *dramatic pause* I. Am.  Wonder Woman!'" Opportunely, I had just carried him down a steep incline.  Clearly weighing the veracity of my admission, he dubiously squinted up at me and concluded, "But, you don't have a cape. And you have to have a cape." Outmaneuvered again by my own offspring.

 

We studied cactus star-flowers and scrutinized rather ordinary rocks and marveled at the Creator's canvas.  I perspired. He sweat. And we laughed. Which was my favorite- since Caid's mischievous laughter is first husky, then high-pitched and wholly infectious. I hope I remember it always. . .Like in 25 years when he goes on his first real date. Okay, in 20 years when he goes on his first real date. Then, some lucky lady will enjoy that laughter and companionable silence that once upon a time, he enjoyed on his dates with Wonder Woman.