It begins with a boy and it ends with a boy, but what story doesn't?

Society has pretty much taught us that it's inside the lines, or outside. But there's so much more in between.

He's not weird. He's just not exactly like you.

Life is meant to be lived, and if you're offered the chance to experience things with an extraordinary person, then there isn't one reason in the world to say no.

WTF? I am so tired I can’t see straight. Kids have no bedtime in the summer? Screw that shit. I’ll enforce it—if not for them, then for me. I want to pass out by eight now, which is uncool because the sun is still out. Can you give children melatonin? Or is Benadryl still the go-to?

Wednesday: A thousand kids running around and trampling each other on the slides at Monkey Joe’s. Afraid for Brady’s safety and had to leave before I punched an eight-year-old in the face

The look of impressed wonder made my inner teenager lock himself in the bathroom with a Playboy.

Wednesday: Do none of these cartoon kids have parents? Max and Ruby—do they live alone? And why won’t she EVER listen to what Max says? Damn goody-goody know-it-all. Reminds me of Cece.

Hey, buddy. Are you ready to swim with Joshua? And eat hot dogs?” Brady nodded. “Hot dogs! Thew’s a pawty in my tummy!” He giggled and grinned at me. I rolled my eyes and set him down on the floor. “You’re going to make me sing it back?”  He nodded, bouncing. I rubbed my hand over my stomach. “So yummy, so yummy.”  He fell back onto his bottom and rolled on the floor in a fit of laughter.  “No more YoGabbaGabba, li’l man. It makes Dee’s brain crazy.

Huh? What did I promise?” “Fowevew,” he said with a nod, like it was final. “Exactly.” We stared at each other, and it reminded me of my first day, when he stared me down like a mute gunslinger.