infamy

My roommate is borrowing my car tonight for the drive-in. I decided to run out and clean the car just now in order to avoid the embarrassment of her seeing my deep dashboard dust collection and my array of fancy fast food wrappers.

As I was cleaning I heard a big-wheel bike crossing the parking lot behind me and looked up just in-time to see the boy riding it complete an awesome spin move that rocketed the back of the bike around completing a 180. I was pretty impressed with this feat of wheel-draggin' until I heard his dad yell his name:

"COOPER!"

Then I looked at the kid again with deep disgust and intimidation. Our eyes met for a split second and I'm pretty sure he registered that I am not his biggest fan.

I live in an active townhouse community. Now that the weather is nice and school is out the kids run freely and every time I leave home I make sure to walk behind my car to make sure I don't squish one. Our homes are close together and sometimes the noise outside is a bit much. Thankfully everything is well insulated and when the windows are closed it's not too bad.

That is.....unless Cooper is out. This kid, who I've never seen til today is the single-most troublesome kid I've ever been near. Anytime he's out, he's reigning chaos.- he's arguing with someone, or stealing a toy, or being reckless in some way, so that all I hear is "Cooper!" "COOPER ! put that down" "Cooper leave her alone" "Cooper, where are you!"

Each time the yelling escalates and I expect at some point to just hear a "Cooper!" followed by a heavy thud and then the sound of a small body being dragged to the dumpster.

I don't even have to live with him and he's significantly altered my peace of mind. Seriously. I'm not sure how his parents cope.

I'm already planing to give him raisins for Halloween, or maybe a toothbrush.