6:01

On Monday, we were outside when a kid down the street rode up on his bicycle. Come to find out, Coda and him are in the same class at school. He asked if Coda could play, and my thought was, "I don't know you, I don't know where you live, I don't know your parents. No, he can't come play." Of course, my husband convinced me that it was okay and that I have to let him go play with friends some day.

We armed him with a watch and I reviewed the rules: No talking to strangers. No riding your bike in the street. No going into the house (it was nice enough he could play outside). Justin topped it off with, "You be home at 6 o'clock. If I have to come down there and get you, you won't be going back." (That was a proud mother moment when I saw the seriousness in Justin's face and the complete understanding in Coda's.)

We watched him as he rode his bike down the sidewalk to his friends house. I tried to keep my mind off the time by starting dinner, but it didn't work. At 5:55 I  started to ask Justin about going down there to get him, but he quickly calmed me down.

6:01 the door bell rings. Through the class I could see it was Coda. I opened the door and I felt relief. I survived my 35 minutes of not being able to see my 7 year old and not really knowing what it was he was doing, but hoping he was enjoying being a boy playing with friends.

"Hey buddy!" I said when I opened the door.

Coda's hair was all sweaty and he was breathing hard as he held onto his bike. "I rode really fast. Am I okay?"

"Yeah, your great!" (As you can tell, I was happy he was back.)

Coda looked at the watch, "It's actually 6:01. Am I in trouble?"

I guess what I am saying is. I sure hope he continues to be home when we say, give or take a minute.