Cloud Nine
It actually happened! I saw you unsupervised for the first time today in over two years. You showed up at my door a few minutes after two in the afternoon. You wanted to show Mom the crane you have at my place, and that you did. You showed her how it grows and moves and that it has stabilizers on the side. After Mom left, we got to the hard work of building with our tools. You were the foreman, and I was one of your workers. We gathered all the necessary vehicles at the job site, and then got to work. We grinded and sawed, hammered and welded, and watched our masterpiece slowly come together.
At some point our first building was done, so we headed quickly to the next job site, where our next job awaited. This time, we made use of two cranes, your pride and joy that you piloted, and mine. It was slightly smaller, but it worked just the same. Together we once again built a building that any reputable construction company would be envious of. After the second building, you got thirsty and showed me how you can use a bottle opener. You opened up your special apple juice that you brought with you, and took a few swigs. I poured some of it into a glass so you could have easier access.
After the tough work we did on the buildings, we decided to head out into the village. As soon as you got out the door you started sprinting and laughing, sort of egging me on to catch you. It was a nice day out, not too warm, not too cold. Perfect. We had set course for the village playground, and also had decided on a pit stop at the large metal slide on the way. There you decided you wanted to slide five times before we continued on. I pretended to be a troll that would almost catch you as you started your slide, but somehow I mysteriously always failed at the task.
Upon finishing your five slides, you climbed up the ladder to attempt a sixth, but at the top decided you did not want to, and I helped you get down, not that you needed it, but I think you probably liked the shortcut. We then walked up the steep hill in the middle of the village and on toward the playground. When we arrived, there were a few children already there, and you mentioned that you knew some of them after I asked you. We started on the swing on the right, where you started making spaceship noises. Memories came flooding back and part of me wondered if you remembered when I used to push you on the swings, and we would pretend you were a spaceman launching off into space. We did the very same thing today as I watched you fly off into space in that swing.
Soon after the swing on the left was free, you started captaining it as a spaceship as well. You launched into space several times and then we started playing hide and seek around the playground and surrounding park area. You also pretended to be a leopard as you climbed around inside a particularly thick bush. Shortly after starting our way back to my apartment, wizards started chasing us and you had to use your magic wand camouflaged as a stick to undo the freezing spells they kept casting on me. Luckily you were there and I never stayed frozen too long.
When we got back to my apartment, we called and talked to your Grandpa in the USA for a while. You showed him your toys and how you could use your crane. You also showed him how tall you are when you are standing on the ledge on the right above the fireplace. We continued building tall buildings with our vehicles and tools after the call, until it was time for us to walk back to Mom’s house. We set up a construction site security system and fences, so that the site would be secure until you come back tomorrow and we can continue our work. Afterwards, I carried you back on my shoulders (on the way back to my apartment you also rode on my shoulders for some of the way and mentioned that it had been a long time since you had done so) and dropped you off at the gate to Mom’s house.
While dropping you off, Mom asked if everything had been okay, and you said it had. We agreed I will come pick you up tomorrow at ten in the morning and drop you off at the latest at four in the afternoon. I reaffirmed that you can always tell me if you want to go home earlier tomorrow, which I think you meant to understand that we could start earlier, and you responded I should come early at nine in the morning.
I will never forget this day. The day I saw you again without someone else always there. The day that may hearken a new beginning or a new basis from which we can build a lasting relationship.
I sure hope so.