I went to a friend’s house after rehearsal (this was weeks ago), July 20th.

I needed to pick up fish to overnight ship to my dad, because we caught it on a fishing trip during his visit. Kilt had it vacuum sealed and labeled with the date- 7/18.

I sat with Kilt’s 10-year old, The Kid, who got dropped by a friend and joined us as we walked up the steps. We walked up the 109 steps and got to their house.

“Dad, can Natalie hang out for a while?!”

“You’ll have to ask Natalie.”

“Natalie, can you hang out for a while?!”
“Yes, yes I can.”

And before you know it, I was being fed.

Course One: Salmon Chowder with Ginger and other deliciousness (with almonds tossed on the side)

Course Two: Bear and some cooked veggie dish

Course Three: Strawberries and Blueberries

Yes, you read that right.. Bear! I ate bear. And The Kid said “Yeah, my dad shot that bear” with big eyes. Everything with this kid is big eyes.

I am not totally excited about the fact that his dad shot the bear because unless the bear was about to kill him, I don’t see why the bear needed to die. But me not eating the bear wasn’t going to bring him back to life, and it was in front of me. I suppose it could have been a she-bear. Also I eat all manner of things and so if I am going to start being principled about food, it’s late in the day.

It was gamey, tough, flavorful but not in the way that you would expect. Like it was marinated in angry raspberries.

And wait, can we step back a minute and mention that this man killed a bear and that’s just downright impressive even if it’s harmoniously reprehensible?

I was still in awe that I was being fed in courses by a real live Alaskan man who wears kilts everywhere. Like, he owns five and has a wedding kilt with a matching vest. You know, for attending weddings. I’m sure I acted very dramatic about the whole thing,
“Bear? Am I eating bear right now?” and my usual antics, etc..

The Kid gazed at the table and said “Sometimes I forget that people think we are really weird.” He shrugged with emphasis. “But to me it’s just normal!” Imagine this kid’s words filled with something like helium but not. Actually, I would say that it is hope. He says everything with a passion and curiosity that is still fueled by hope, life hasn’t worn down the edges of his expectations. His observations and energy are like the balloon in Bernoulli’s Principle, the balloon is simply held up in this current of air that keeps it suspended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fast-forward to Thursday of this week, July 28.
I’m sitting at the table again, on the opposite side as when I ate the bear.
I was wearing my Grandmother’s sweatshirt as I have since gone and returned from her funeral.

Nana was a bear in her own right, and death took her down. In fact, this is her with the only bear I think she ever knew.

Sometimes she was also marinated with angry raspberries (don’t ask me how that makes since but if you knew her, it would).

The Kid told me that he was really sorry about my Grandmother. So am I.

He has since been cast in the play as a Lion, Simba in fact. I hope they never feed me lion.
He told me that he wants to travel after high school, take a year before he goes to college. That he thinks traveling is a good way to see the world. I told him he should travel Eastern Europe.

I told him that I couldn’t believe he was only ten. He reminded me that I called him an old man for his taste in ice cream (Vanilla Toffee Bar Crunch) and I told him that I ate the rest of that for dinner the other night.

And talk about concern, that kid launched into how I don’t take care of myself and I just can’t do that to my body and that it’s really, truly terrible to me.

I was beside myself. I wasn’t getting schooled on body health, this was like an intervention. This was deep, heartfelt concern, which is so much worse. “I love you, Natalie. Please put down the spoon.”

I feel like, at this moment, eating too much ice cream would be a wonderful vacation from the top of my life concerns.