Thursday, 9th November, 2017.
07.03
I don't know why I'm shitting myself. I'm not going to school for the first time in 5 years. That's what I'm thinking as I listen to Louis, next door, in the bathroom, laughing his head off at an episode of The Big Bang Theory on his phone.
Yeah, I know. Kids can't even have a shower without bombarding themselves with media!
Even though he's laughing I still have "THE FEAR!" for him. Stupid bloody parenting.
08.47
It's done. I dropped him off in the car park opposite, by the Christchurch. I offered to take him to reception but he declined. He obviously didn't want to look like a total Wanker, having his dad walk him in. I'd have done the same.
Prior to leaving. I drank coffee, checked his bag. Smoked a cigarette, checked his uniform. Checked both again. Then again. Then stood by the door trying not to look anxious.
I was warming the car up 15 minutes before the earliest we could leave!
Pfft! I'm an idiot.
Anyway. Back to the drop off. I watched him until he disappeared through the gate. Then, like a soundtrack for my life(or the fact it's in my playlist!), what would come on?
As I'd taken the day off work, I figured I'd use it as wisely as possible. This somehow lead me to Iceland. Not the country. The frozen food shop. I was checking out the excellent selection of Christmas" I'm too drunk to do any more than throw it in the oven" party food section, when I bumped into "her" mum.
I'd forgotten to fill them in about Louis' quick admission to school. Long story short. She gave me money and had a little cry. Bless her.
14.29
After leaving Iceland, I headed into Staines. I decided that Louis deserved a reward after all the hard work he had put in. I mean, no one at the school can believe he hasn't been schooled for 5 years. I bought him Call of Duty WWII Pro Edition. It was £90 but,........there is no "but". I just wanted to. Alright?! I had a pint in the catacombs of the undead(The George Pub). During which, my other son, Sonny, rang me for chats about Christmas and stuff. A welcome distraction, I can tell you.
Then I came home to make bolognese and do some chores.
OK. It's collection time.
16.40
I'm laying down drinking a large(Alright, fucking large!) gin and bitter lemon.
So. There I am sitting in my car, in the car park, watching all the children come out the gates. All of a sudden, I see him. He has a face like death/anger/humiliation/crying as he crosses the road. Hugging the straps of his back pack.
"Aaww fuck!", I thought. My heart was in my mouth. All I could think of was to try and calm him with the £10 his Grandma had given him, and the bucket of sweets and game I'd bought him. This is gonna be shit.
He opened the back door. Threw his back pack in, then got in the front. I looked at him."how'd it go then?" trying to be as upbeat as I could. He turned to me, straight faced....then smiled.
"It was Fuckin' great!".
Lol. He stitched me right up. I should have known really. After all. He is me!
He really enjoyed it. Everyone was really nice. Really friendly. He played football at lunchtime. Made a couple of friends. People asked him his hobbies......., etc.
At one point I was thinking,"Really?!? When I went there, as a kid, most people were right evil little cunts!". Time moves on I suppose. Still, first day. Watch this space.
I drove him home as he regaled me with the Ins and outs of the day, lesson by lesson. He genuinely seemed happy. When we got home I gave him his treats and made him hang up his uniform.
He is now downstairs killing Nazi's. As any teenager should be. No homework yet.
Just you wait, my son, just you wait.............
18.24
The world has righted itself, with the aid of a couple of gins. So now I'm prepping everyone's dinner. The joys of being a parent.
The relief is beyond compare. Louis has done all the achieving but as his dad, I'm gonna revel in the glow of it. If I had any achievements of my own to revel in I would.
Note to self: I must achieve something tomorrow.
