2005-03-24 - 9:16 PM

Yesterday morning, the Andrews and I went out for breakfast. Conversationing aimlessly, without real purpose or direction, my attention was caught by a small child wandering up and down the aisle. He must have been barely 3 years old, still walking with that forward lean and spastic momentum, arms waving in front of him to aid when either the floor or something taller than him would break his journey. A grin was plastered across his face, wild and jubilant and free, as he surged forward.
"Alex..." I heard a stern voice, requesting the child return to his proper area of the establishment.
Instead, our little explorer slowed down, turned a little to the side, and caught sight of me watching. Grinning even wider, he started to climb up onto the seat that was almost as tall as he was, next to me.
I wasn't entirely sure what to do. To help him up would certainly look odd to his mother, who'd never met me before in her life. But to stop him would have required herculean effort, and she similarly might not have appreciated my gentle pushing back upon his shoulder. At a loss, but still fascinated, I scooted over to make room for him.
Alex, for apparently we shared a name as well as a preferred state of being, climbed up, and stood upon the seat, grinning at me.
"Hi!" I said with a smile, making a small, spastic wave with my hand that kids seem to like. He paid no attention to the hand, but continued to smile at me. So I stuck out my hand to shake his.
He looked at it, confused, then gently pushed it with the back knuckles of his left hand.
"He wants to do knuckles," smiled the mom, a few feet away.
Could it be? I made a light fist with my hand and reached it out again. He made a small, soft fist with his hand, and gently pounded mine. Grinning ecstatically once more, he climbed down.
"Okay Alex, time to go..." They left seconds later, and I took a contemplative sip of my coffee. Both guys across the table were grinning at this fantastic little encounter. Andrew slid the check over to me.
"Look at the total..." He said.
$13.37.
Leet.
-Alex

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