Buena suerte

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.