Harry is often to be found dressed in some random costume prancing about the house. He's always playing but he never seems to be actually having fun. He's so grumpy all of the time.
It's nice to him using his imagination, but sometimes I think he uses it too much. The other day I saw him running around the garden playing tag. I assumed he had a friend round from school but there was no sign of one anywhere. When I asked him, I became a little concerned:
"Harry, sweetie, why are you running around playing tag by yourself? Can't you make any friends at school?"
"I'm not playing by myself, I'm playing with rainbow! He's the only friend I need!"
Rainbow was that creepy doll he'd gotten from some Aunt as a baby. I must admit I hadn't seen it around so much, it would be there one day and gone the next. But I wasn't as deranged as to think it'd come alive as Harry seemed to think.
"You and your imagination Harry! Rainbow is a doll, he can't play tag, why don't you see if Ben is around to play with?"
"No, mummy! I'm playing with Rainbow, he's my imaginary friend! He looks just like the doll but only bigger and he brings me snacks and we have tea parties and.. and, he's so cool! You can't see him it's only me, he goes back to being a doll when I'm not around!"
"Okay honey, whatever you say. Have fun."
And then I wandered off back inside. I guess it's okay for kids to play with imaginary pals sometimes but I wanted Harry to make some real friends and he didn't seem too keen. Imaginary ones aren't much good in a crisis.
"Harry, sweetie, why are you running around playing tag by yourself? Can't you make any friends at school?"
"I'm not playing by myself, I'm playing with rainbow! He's the only friend I need!"
Rainbow was that creepy doll he'd gotten from some Aunt as a baby. I must admit I hadn't seen it around so much, it would be there one day and gone the next. But I wasn't as deranged as to think it'd come alive as Harry seemed to think.
"You and your imagination Harry! Rainbow is a doll, he can't play tag, why don't you see if Ben is around to play with?"
"No, mummy! I'm playing with Rainbow, he's my imaginary friend! He looks just like the doll but only bigger and he brings me snacks and we have tea parties and.. and, he's so cool! You can't see him it's only me, he goes back to being a doll when I'm not around!"
"Okay honey, whatever you say. Have fun."
And then I wandered off back inside. I guess it's okay for kids to play with imaginary pals sometimes but I wanted Harry to make some real friends and he didn't seem too keen. Imaginary ones aren't much good in a crisis.
Meanwhile I was starting to really feel my age. I have to walk with a stick now, ugh, I feel so ancient. It takes me forever to walk anywhere and I have to sit down so often. I think I might just buy a good pair of slippers and wear them until the end of my days, like the really old ladies do.
As if to make me fell EVEN older, my first little baby boy grew into a man. A full grown man with a beard and everything. I couldn't believe it and I was a little tearful. My Ben a young adult, off to make his way in the world all alone. I can hardly bear the thought of when Harry grows up.
Anyway I didn't have time to dwell on that thought, for we had a graduation to go to! Ben looked so smart in his robe and I was proud as punch when he was named valedictorian! I was not however so pleased when his classed named him 'Least Likely To Ever Leave The House'. He seemed to take it in good humour though. I could tell he was really pleased with himself too, I know how much hard work he put in at times and how difficult it was with a screaming little brother to distract him.
I was even happier when we came back from the ceremony to find Harry on the doorstep with a new found friend. I was so relieved to see him talking to an actual living, breathing human being for a change. I'd had my worries he'd become a recluse later in life! I forget the girls name (I'm so forgetful these days) but she seemed like a sweetie. I hope he carries on getting to know her.
With an adult son in the house and me feeling so old and tired, I think it's time for me to retire from writing this. I need to spend some quality time with Leighton whilst we still have the chance. I know it's probably unlucky to end on part thirteen but I've never been one to stick to convention! And so I'll be passing this legacy on to my dear son Ben to continue. This is Iona Rainfall, signing out. I hope you enjoyed my story.