Bus Stop Buddy

I met a mom yesterday who may have friendship potential.

A little boy I hadn't seen before hopped off at Big Kid's bus stop and looked around, confused. Not seeing any new parents around and afraid he got off at the wrong stop, I got out of the car just as his mom came jogging up from the apartments behind us.

Our kids both have the same first name so she was asking about our last name and when I asked about her son's last name, went into this long, confused thing about her divorce and names and how she had decided what to do and then I had to ask again "Yeah, but what is his last name?"

She was probably my age and seemed easy going and friendly. Our sons are friends in school and she just moved to the apartments near the bus stop. I asked what teacher her son had and she didn't know (and I think he's been in that class since the beginning of the year...they just changed homes, not school zones) and launched into a confusing description of the school layout and where his classroom was and team colors and other stuff, never establishing who his teacher is.

I don't think she's drinking or on drugs or anything, I think she's just a bit scattered and weird. I'm okay with that. I don't know what she's talking about a lot of the time but maybe I'd figure it out eventually or she wouldn't mind.

Big Kid said, "I can't believe I have a friend in my neighborhood! Dese are about to be da best days of my life!" and my heart broke a little bit before he realized we were moving to a different neighborhood, probably in a matter of weeks, and then he was sad. I promised him we could still see his friend since he'd be nearby and promised to invite him over soon.

I'm thinking tomorrow after school but now have the awkward proposition of asking his mom, knowing that it will most likely lead to a nearly incomprehensible conversation and the possibility of her somehow coming over too (and I'm not ready for that yet).

I'm hoping she was just nervous and will normal up a bit. I really like her kid and Big Kid needs some friends who are boys.