Yesterday I went to a middle school yearbook signing party. I was the entertainment. Everybody loves balloon twisters!
This sweet kid came up to me. We'll call him Manny. This isn't
just because he is Latino; he also reminded me of Manny from "Modern Family." Super adorable.
He walks up to me and says, "Can you make me a heart wand?"
Me: "I sure can!"
As I get started, he says nervously, "This isn't for me, by the way."
Me: "Oh really? Who's it for?"
Manny: "Well...it's this girl that I like."
Me: "Why do you like her?"
Manny: "Well, we've been friends this whole year, and I just haven't told her, but I'm going to tell her today."
I finish the heart wand.
Manny: "Ummm can you write 'I like you' on it?"
Me: "I sure can!" So I do. "Go get 'em."
Then Manny courageously walked away. I hope it works out for him. Really. I remember those days on the last day of school where you feel like you need to divulge your soul to the person you've been crushing on all year. I never had the guts to do that until college, and by then that social-awkwardness-mixed-with-brazen-determination loses its charm. Or maybe I'm just a pessimist. Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from Manny.
All I know is that if a boy gave me a heart balloon that said "I like you" on it, I sure as heaven would swoon. But maybe I just have this thing with balloons... That's what happens when you work for a clown.