"Bo-Bo" was a gift from my husband, to our first born, while I was still pregnant. I witnessed many wonders of childhood friendship between Bo-Bo and Garrett from the beginning of baby drool to the sad day when Garrett decided he had outgrown the friendly Velcro grasp of his little monkey friend. Bo-Bo now resides in the dark depths of Garrett's bedroom closet.
A funny thing happened when I woke up this morning, when the sun was just rising and the house was still quiet. I had spent a good chunk of my waking moments reminiscing over the last 19 years and planning in my head just how I was going to orchestrate the gathering of everyone later in the day to sing Happy Birthday to Garrett over the phone. I took a deep breath as I rose to start my day. When I reached the top of the stairs, I heard the slightest noise….almost as if the slats in the front window had shifted. I kept my steps light as I descended and as I tip-toed off of the bottom stair I crooked my neck to peek at who or what might have created such a noise. What I saw took my breath away.
I walked slowly to the window, not wanting to disrupt the obvious concentration. I waited patiently before I finally decided to speak, keeping my voice soft so as not to startle our little friend,
"Bo-Bo? .....What are you doing here, buddy?"
Of course, solemnly sworn to uphold the secret lives of toys, Bo-Bo sat motionless and uttered not a word. But his gaze was kept steady. I gave him a few minutes before I gently scooped him up and turned towards Garrett's bedroom. As I stood before the closet door I reached to gently place Bo-Bo back on the shelf. I suddenly paused, pulling Bo-Bo back to my nose, closing my eyes and inhaling, with hopes of catching any lingering hints of a childhood gone. Time kept us close for only a second but my memory filled with years. I placed Bo-Bo back upon his perch and whispered, "No worries, Bo-Bo, your boy will be home soon."
I reached to close the bedroom door behind me as I left. Just as it clicked shut, something made me stop and press my ear against its grainy wood. I swear I heard the faintest humming .......and I smiled at the familiar tune.
