And He Waved Again
 
The details, the details
The moments, the smallest of moments
 
I was sitting on my bed
Putting on my socks
Getting ready to go to work
 
“Hey Dad”, he said
“Can you take me to school?
 
“Are you ready to go now?” 
“Can we go in fifteen minutes?”
“OK, but I have a meeting to make by eight”.
 
I spooned down a bowl of cereal
Then said,
“C’mon buddy, it’s time to go.
Where are your shoes?
I’m running out of time.”
 
“Buckle up,” I said as the engine mumbled and groaned.
“Wait, where’s your trumpet? 
Seriously, you forgot your trumpet?”
 
“Now do you have everything?
Is your head zipped on?
C’mon get in 
Let’s go.”
 
“Anything special happening at school today?” 
I asked along the way.
“How do I know Dad 
We’re not even there yet.”
 
“Who is winning the kickball tournament?”
“Not us, we suck.”
 
“What night is the band concert next week?”
“I don’t know Dad.
Why do you keep asking me so many questions?”
 
I surrendered and turned up Howard Stern.
No more words between us, thoughts about work
Crept into my head.
 
“Dad! Turn here!”
 
I slammed the brakes then turned into the drive and pulled up towards the school.
My eleven-year old fifth grader
Got his things and closed the door. 
He waved good-bye 
Then turned and walked away.
 
Then he turned around 
And he waved again
And the look on his face…
 
That moment
That moment was absent of time
That moment I laughed and I cried
 
And when he will not go to bed at night
And when he is slow to find his shoes
And when he plays the silent game
And when he acts like he’s two
 
I remember,
He waved again
He waved again…