ImPerceptibility

Posts Tagged ‘bad boys’

When the girls were little I use to have fun scanning the playground.  I would try to guess which child each of my children would make friends with before it was time to go. I’d see the little boy crouched down looking at tadpoles in a puddle and know, that once my oldest felt comfortable, she would be over there exploring, discussing, and investigating. She likes the smart kids with the gentle smiles and curious eyes. My youngest was a different story. I’d look around the playground and find the most harried looking mom. The kid she was exasperated with would be the one youngest ended up playing with. Running, screaming, jumping, and mild mischief. That’s her game, but only if they were nice. She didn’t play with the mean kids – and she would tell them that as well. She had a big sister to watch her back if necessary.

I sometimes wonder what my future son-in-laws will be like. Will the types of people they choose to hang out with now predict their future friends, lovers, and spouses? Will my oldest settle down with intelligent man with a gentle heart and curious mind? Will my youngest be traveling the globe with a grinning bad boy who has a heart of gold? I’m not sure it matters but I like to think about these things sometimes.

My first boyfriend was a bad boy. Leather jacket, wild hair, fist ready to fly at the slightest provocation, bad boy. But he, and just about every boyfriend after him, treated me like I was the most wonderful thing that ever walked the earth. I never thought I deserved their adoration but that didn’t stop them from giving it to me. If I hadn’t had so much fun with them I might feel bad about all the worry and grief I caused my parents with my choices in boyfriends. I’ll never forget the look on my Dad’s face the day one of them called me from the juvenile detention center!

When it was all said and done, I ended up marrying a smart guy with a bad boy grin. He has a gentle loving heart and a great sense of adventure. When I think about it, he’s just like the boys I used to play with on the playground. I guess my girls will find the person that’s right for them. I don’t have any worries that they’ll find the right person and live a happy life together. I just worry about the steps they’ll take before they get there. I have a slight anxious feeling when I realize the time for finding out if I predicted correctly is just a few short years away. And if the bad boys showing off on their skateboards for my oldest are any indication, the next few years are going to be quite interesting.