Like many things in modern life, this story begins with the internet. More specifically, it begins with internet shopping. Rommie isn't the only one around here who enjoys shopping online. Sapphire is into it as well, and back in July she bought some presents for us from this online shop. Okay, so it was mostly presents for Sini and Pax, but I got a shirt and I think Michael might've gotten something too. I heard so many complaints from Rommie about Sini's new skintight jeans, mini-skirt and bright yellow leggings that I wondered if she really didn't like them or if it was her way of complaining that she didn't get anything. Personally, I rather like Sini's yellow leggings. I'm not too concerned with the colour - a shade which Rommie has alternately described as 'shocking' and 'eye-burning' - but I like the way she looks in them. (Yes, I've checked in my own way.)
But, enough about my wife's yellow pants. I'm sure you guys don't want me to wander too far down that road, anyway. Let me get back to telling you what all this online shopping has to do with Pax.
Because this shop had a special event going on during the month of July, Sapphire got her name entered into a draw to win a prize. A few weeks ago, the shop owner contacted her to tell her that she'd won. Sapphire says she's not usually a lucky person, so this was a pretty big deal for her. The prize was a complete outfit from the shop; a special surprise outfit, no less. Since we're trying to encourage Pax to conform to our clothing-related customs, Sapphire decided this prize should be for him. If he was excited about getting some new clothes, chances were good that he'd want to wear them. So, she asked the shop owner if the prize could be for Pax, and the lady agreed.
Just as we predicted, Pax was practically filled to bursting with glee when he found out that he was going to receive a special surprise that was made just for him. He checked the mail box every day to see if his package was there. Sini and I both told him that he'd have to be patient, but that didn't stop him from trying to stalk the mailman down our street on a few occasions.
His package still hadn't arrived by the time Sini and I left for our trip last Friday. We got back last night and were informed by a very disappointed Pax that it still hadn't arrived. Today, however, we woke up to discover a boy in a vastly different mood. Sini and I were still in bed this morning when Pax came flying into the room yelling, "It is here! It is here!"
"Inside voice..." I groaned into my pillow. Beside me, Sini mumbled something in Erisan that might've been a swear word.
"I so happy!" Pax said gleefully. "I got a surprise!"
I should've been more attentive to him, I'll admit, but as you guys know, I don't do mornings. I said, "What time is it?"
"Time to get up!" Pax practically shouted in my ear.
"Pax, seriously, keep your voice down," I grumbled.
I reached out a hand and groped for the alarm clock. When I found it and pressed the little button on top, the clock's cheerful synthesized voice announced that it was 8:57a.m. Urgh. I could've slept in for another hour or so, at least. I was on the schedule for the later shift at the store today and I didn't have to be at work until two o'clock.
"Get up, please," Pax begged. "I want to see my surprise."
"Why don't you ask Sapphire to help you open it?" I said. "She'll probably want to take pictures anyway."
"You come too," he said, grabbing my hand and trying to haul me out of bed. "Please?"
On the other side of me, Sini shifted around and gave me a none-too-gentle poke in the ribs. "Get up, Tyler. Go with him, please. I need to sleep more than you do, and you are both keeping me awake."
I know when I'm beaten.
"Okay," I said. "But, I just want you to know this isn't fair."
"Go," Sini said.
"Your wish is my command," I said. I leaned over to give her a quick kiss, and then I dragged myself out of bed.
By the sound of things, Pax was hopping up and down on one foot. "Come, Tyler! Hurry!"
"Give me a minute. I have to check on Skyla, first," I said.
Skyla isn't a morning person either, and when I checked on her I found that she was still sleeping. I debated about whether or not I should wake her. In the end I opted to let her sleep. Sini was still in the room, so she'd be there to take care of Skyla when she woke up.
I followed Pax downstairs. He led me into the dining room where he pounced on Sapphire and demanded to know what she'd done with his package. While she was getting it for him, I went out to the kitchen to find a cup of coffee. I had a feeling I'd need it.
By the time I returned, Pax had his package and was blissfully ignoring Sapphire's attempts to photograph him.
He insisted that he didn't need help getting the package open. He was going to do it all by himself.
I guessed that everything was well wrapped, because I heard a lot of rustling of plastic.
"What have you got, Pax?" Sapphire asked him.
"Something yellow and something blue," he said.
"Why don't you unfold them and show me?" she said.
I heard more crinkling plastic sounds and then Pax exclaimed, "I have yellow pants, just like Sini!"
Somehow I doubted they were just like Sini's pants. I couldn't believe that anyone would send pants like that to a boy, and I imagined they were more like jeans than anything else. I was actually quite relieved when Pax showed them to me and I discovered that I was right.
The next thing he unwrapped was a hoodie. He described it, "A cool shirt just for me!"
"Do you want to try them on?" Sapphire asked him.
"Yes," he said, but then he seemed to hesitate. "Wait. Something else in here."
The 'something else' turned out to be a cute little toy.
"Nobody else playing with this," he informed us. "This mine."
Once we convinced him that his toy would be fine for a few minutes on the dining room table, he decided to try on his new shirt and pants. Everything fit perfectly.
The points of his ears made the hood on his sweater puff out a little, but he didn't seem to mind, and pronounced himself "Cool and awesome!" when he looked at himself in the hallway mirror.
Apparently satisfied that he represented the epitome of Earth fashion, he scampered away to show off his new clothes to everyone. I stayed downstairs. There was no way I wanted to be around if he woke Sini up again, and I really didn't want to witness the results of any trip he might make to the attic to visit Xander and Remi's room. Or Hunter's room. I hoped that if he did venture up to the attic, he'd steer clear of Hunter's room. Not a morning person is hardly sufficient to describe Hunter. I'd say nocturnal would be more like it. It was a safe bet that she would not appreciate being awakened to view Pax's new outfit.
Pax was still wearing his new clothes when I got home from work tonight. It took a major effort to convince him to undress for bed, and he refused to go to sleep unless his clothes were folded and placed under his pillow. Finally, I was able to finish tucking him in.
As I was leaving the room, I heard him whisper, "Good night, clothes. See you tomorrow."
Kids. Best source of entertainment ever.
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