The Chronicles of the Angry Geologist

There's a cute little neighbor kid that lives in my unit that always comes running up to talk to me and pet Roland. He's of a certain ethnicity, and his parents don't speak English as a first language, with all the difficulties for all parties involved. There's a couple of families of the same ethnic group that sort of hang out together, and sometimes I think he comes to talk to me for a change of pace because I'm different from his family, I have a dog, I always answer questions, and maybe because... well, I know how mean kids can be because you're different.

Today he must have really needed a chat, because he was waiting for me when I got out of my car. After we talked about Speed Racer for a minute, and I explained about the security badge I have to wear to work, I tried to excuse myself.

"Why?" he asked in that innocent way of kids.

"I have to get Roland and take him for a walk before it rains."

"Why?"

"So he doesn't get wet!"

"Why?"

"Because wet dog smells really bad!" I was officially Home Late at this point, and I didn't want to delay Roland's walk any longer so I waved and started walking home.

"Can I come to your home?"

...aaaand I stopped. Dead in my tracks. "Uh... well... where's your Mom and Dad?"

"My Dad works in Philadelphia. He takes the train to work. He's supposed to be home sometime this afternoon- what's afternoon?"

Damnit. "And your Mom?" I was really hoping someone was around to take care of The Kid...

"She's at my friend's home. Can I come to your home?"

"Well... uh... not now, but I'll tell you what, I'll bring Roland out to visit you, okay?"

"Okay!"

So I went inside and let Roland out of his crate. At that point I was going to change, but then I saw a little head at about the right height bobbing outside my big window. The Kid was waiting at my door. I promised myself that I would try hard not to get too dirty at the dog park tonight, grabbed Roland's leash and my keys, and walked out the door.

We walked along a little way, and he asked me what Roland was looking around for, and I tried to explain that he was a hunting dog, but he couldn't really hunt. Then he tried to get him to hunt one of the robins that was hopping around. Kid logic. There's more of it on the way. We reached the point where we can either turn around and walk around the complex or go to the dog park, and Roland made it very clear that dog park == WANT. And I told The Kid this.

"Why?"

"So he can go and play with the other dogs."

"Why?"

"Because it's fun!" In retrospect, this was probably not the right thing to say. I bet you can guess what the next words out of his mouth were.

"Can I come too?!?"

"Uh... you had better let your mom know where you're going!"

"Okay!" The Kid said as he ran back.

"I'll come with you!" I figured his mom wouldn't let him go running off with any strange lady, but if she did, then I'd at least know where to deposit him later. "Oh, tell her it's The Angry Geologist in Apartment Plural Zed 5!"

"I live in Thorn-92," The Kid said. "You can come and visit me, but if you come visit more than seven times, my mom will get mad!" Kid logic. Was I this cute when I was his age?

So I met Kid's mom. As I figured, English is definitely not her first language, and The Kid indeed does speak another language at home. At The Kid's insistence, she gave Roland a treat, which he took a little less than gently, because she was holding it so high above his nose. She scolded him a moment in the other language, and waved goodbye to me as she brought him in.

I tried to do the right thing here. I really hope she doesn't think I'm a bad person or going to do anything to her son. I'm wondering if I should try to catch her and explain myself, or maybe write a letter- or do you think she gets it already? I don't know- I've never had a kid follow me home before.

Dogs, cats, fish... add kids to one more thing I can't turn away from my door.