Let me tell you about the time I lost my nephew in the safest town … of the second murder capitol in the world.
You see, I was in charge for two days and by “in charge” I mean my job was to was to wake up with the non-nursery babies, teach preschool, give meds, serve dinner, make sure no one died, or got lost. The last one must have slipped my mind.
Before, I go any further. Let me clarify my definition of lost. I’ve been learning in my philosophy class that makes me want to punch puppies defining our intended meanings is extremely important. Lost: wasn’t informed of an adventure to a neighbors house.
Now, back to my panic attack.
Side note: I am currently in the middle of my finals week.
NOW. Back to my panic attack.
Let me set the scene: I had just finished a BIG project that I had been working on, for a bazillion days... AND. I completed my 16th, consecutive, p90x3 workout I’m awesome with my niece, Emma. We're awesome.
I was feeling pretty good about myself. Go me! But I needed a break. So, I went over to the main house to get some social interaction and to assist with any dinner preparations...Okay. okay. You got me. If I am being honest with you and myself I was never going to “assist”. I was just going to gaze admiringly at the food, being prepared, and ask if it contained any gluten.
Well, I should have known my day was going by too easily. When I got there the staff asked if I knew where Harrison was. I was like uh no? He’s not here?? Did he ask to leave? Are you sure he’s not in his bed watching Netflix?? Is he in the school house? Did he go to the pulpería? The concha?? I began to feel confused and reminded that I had heart condition, as my heart began racing inside of my chest. I ran upstairs. He wasn't there. Ran to the school house, wasn’t there. Pulpería, wasn't there. Concha, wasn't there. Two-friends houses, wasn’t there. Time to pull a hail Mary. I walked hesitantly up to the neighborhood watchy. Then, in my broken Spanish I told him that I was looking for my nephew, Harrison. Everyone and their moms know Harrison. The watchy proceeded to tell me all the places Harrison normally hangs out. Again, I replied in my broken Spanish, explaining that I had looked in ALL of those places and that Harrison’s parents weren't home and that I was in charge and this was bad… for me. He laughed and said I should drag him back by his ear. I laughed nervously, thinking the worst of all worsts, Thanks Dad. And I headed back out on my search, praying with each step. Thanks Dad ... and Mom
Suddenly, I was reminded that I may not have actually taken my heart medication. As my heart, now, raced in my ears and my hands began shaking, uncontrollably.Great. I was going to die before I could kill him.
Suddenly, I was reminded that I may not have actually taken my heart medication. As my heart, now, raced in my ears and my hands began shaking, uncontrollably.
Also, it was time to inform the ‘rents. They asked me if I checked all his normal hangouts. I replied calmishly yes, yes I did.
THEN- Just as I was about to head out in a taxi call in the coastguard, police, fire department, and the embassy. Our watchy friend showed up on his motorbike and said he had FOUND Harrison, “playing down below”. Whatever that means. I didn’t even care that I only half understood.
THANK YOU JESUS!! and watchy guy.
Well, just because I was beyond thrilled he was “found” that didn't mean that I was DONE.
Oh, no no no no. I was far from DONE. I stood in the doorway waiting, in silence, for the return of the heart-attack giving, non-informing, annoying, pre-teen.
As he and the watchy approached the house, the watchy began to laugh and say, "ooooh Harrison".
As he and the watchy approached the house, the watchy began to laugh and say, "ooooh Harrison".
I shot Harrison a warning look that only a select few people have seen. It was like a mix between a Lena and a Jean (My two grandmothers). I never yelled, (Mostly, because I am sick and lost my voice) but I may or may not have scared the watchy. Because he backed up, ever so slowly. Well, very very very slowly and shuffled off as I shamed Harrison into oblivion.
Yes, I was in charge. Wish ALL the kids had gotten the memo... but guess ya can’t win them all. Yeah, so THAT happened.
