For the better part of the last 13 years or so, even to this day, I have spun the same parental rap when one of my kids is about to drive somewhere. The rap goes something like:
- Is your cell phone charged?
- Take it easy and keep an eye on your speed.
- Make sure you wear your seat belt.
- Text me when you get there (or get back).
Since they are all adults now, I understand that this behavior of mine is probably awkward for them. However, it gives me some sense of peace of mind – and at the end of the day, it really is all about me, right? So they all shine it on for me.
After the latest Bad Beat in the Belk Bowl, we all headed back to our parking lot. It was a pretty quiet, cold walk. Stunned silence for The Three Stooges of course, who bleed Duke Blue. For Your Faithful Servant, there was that, at a lesser degree of emotional pain of course. I was quiet more because of the dread of driving back to Hillsborough. I don’t really enjoy driving at night, particularly in foreign environs.
With the departure from Charlotte around 11:00 PM – I wouldn’t get back until 1:45 AM or so - it was a pretty long day for this old fart considering the travel, the game, and the pre-game beer and food. I would be driving back by myself, with Jr. heading back to Greensboro for the night with Tony and Chris before they all left for Wilmington the next morning.
There was naturally a lot of traffic getting out of the lot. Tony was going to lead, but somewhere between the lot and Trade Street, I lost them. Even managed to fail to get in the correct lane and missed the exit on Trade that leads to I-77 and then I-85. But I recovered.
About 20 minutes into the journey, my cell rung. It was Tony, checking in with The Old Man to make sure that Pops had made it safely out of The Big City onto I-85.
Always a nice feeling to know that somebody has your back.
