After Christmas Conversations on the Square, Part 3

The following is an excerpt of a conversation, Part 3, with mainly my 25-year-old daughter Lauren on Monday, December 28, 2015, as we walked, shopped and dined in downtown McKinney, Texas − or as I like to call it, The Square. The day was cold and blustery. The week before and through Christmas, we’d had unseasonably warm temperatures ranging in the mid to high 70’s. The day after Christmas (Saturday), a strong cold front blew through, which spawned several devastating tornadoes in the North Central Texas area. By Monday, the temps had plummeted to highs only in the mid 30’s. With a day off from her work, Lauren and I decided to spend the day doing what we like to do best, shop and dine.

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Conversation with Lauren after we left the restaurant but before we make it into the last shop of the day which closed at 5:30 p.m.:

Lauren (as we’re stepping out of the restaurant):

It’s freezing out here!

Mona:

Of course it’s freezing out here, it’s like 33 degrees. See, there’s even ice on the street right there. What I don’t understand is why you decided to wear ripped jeans and your blue jean jacket when you knew we were going to be walking The Square.

Lauren:

Well, I’m wearing my coat.

Mona:

No you’re not. That’s not a coat, that’s a jacket, a jean jacket, which is not warm enough when the temps are in the 30’s. You should be wearing a heavy coat and pants with no holes in them!

Lauren:

Well, I didn’t realize it was going to be this cold. It was literally in the 70’s just what … yesterday?

Mona:

No, Baby. That was the day before yesterday. Remember, that was on Saturday, right before we had the cold front move through and we got the tornadoes, torrential rain, and death and destruction? Ring a bell?

Lauren:

Kind of. I was working. Plus, Saturday … that was the day when everything was going wrong at work. Remember? I told you all about it and how super busy I was … so the weather was like the least of my concerns.

Mona:

Yeah, I remember. Bad day at work. Still, I’d say there are some people out there who might feel like, ‘Lucky you. You just had a bad day at work,’ when they have literally nothing left.

Lauren:

Well, it’s not like that’s my fault. So stop trying to make me feel guilty. Besides, the thing is … this is Texas and I always forget just how cold it gets, and I’m never ready for it when it does. It shouldn’t be this cold. Ever.

Mona:

Lauren, you’ve lived here all of your life. This is nothing new. You’re 25 and you should know these things by now … and you should dress for the weather accordingly. You’re not on your ADD meds, are you?

Lauren:

Maybemaybe not. At least I look cute.

Mona:

Yes, Baby, you do look cute! Because, you know, that’s what’s most important.

Lauren:

Exactly my point!

Mona:

(Sigh.) Here, this store’s still open. Let’s go inside before you freeze to death!

 

2 thoughts on “After Christmas Conversations on the Square, Part 3”

  1. Ah, the maternal voice. Why do adult children torture us by refusing to absorb our teachings: be grateful for what you have; wear appropriate clothes when it’s freezing outside?
    Now that I’m a senior citizen, I look back on how I probably tortured my mother with my acts of immaturity — and I cringe.
    Because I know you are busy, I’m very happy to see you continue writing and posting! Keep it up.

    Reply
    • It is human nature, I suppose. My grandmother made my mom crazy and vice versa. I make my mother a little crazy. She makes me a little crazy. Same with my daughter and me. As long as we all know that we’re crazy, we know we’re normal. Right?

      Reply

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