Would you like to buy some Cookie Dough?

It is the time of year that Students are asked to perform fund-raising duties for their schools, and the  various projects the kids are partaking in. I was out with friends at a local Bowling center on a School night, yet there was a young fellow doing his duty to raise money. He stopped by our group and asked if we would be interested in buying anything from his catalog. It seemed to be mostly Cookie Dough, or Christmas related items. I took a turn after my friend who seemed to know the boy and his Mother. Although the boy was without Mom in this endeavour.

 I took the booklet and quickly found a few selections to purchase.  While I was filling in my information, I inquired about the fund-raising project. Apparently it is for his Band. I found out that he plays trumpet, and he is in 6^th grade. I also inquired his name, and when he would be turning twelve. He told me, and I happily remarked that it was just 2 days after my own birthday. I noticed silently by this point that he seemed to have a slight speech abnormality, he spoke quite soft yet also had detectable slurring. He was not weak in the mind, he only carried some nuance to his speaking that was similar to a lisp, yet I could not detect exactly why. I presumed his mouth form had not caught up to the mass of his tongue.

 I then asked what school he attended, and upon his reply I asked if he knew a certain administrator whom I am friends with from that very school. He was not sure, but since this person is the principal, I suggested it might not be someone he needs to meet right away. He smiled, and thanked me for my order. I signed a check and handed it to him, and said I would see him again when the order comes in.

 I paid closer attention to the qualities of this young fellow. Indeed for a boy almost twelve, he was quite small. Probably under 70 pounds. His face also denied any aspect of approaching teen years. His skin was milky and clear,with flowing dark blonde locks lightly curled and draped upon his shoulders. A quaint button nose and deep brown eyes accumulated to an almost angelic appearance. His hands were also small yet his feet were beginning to lengthen. I also noticed through his plain white T-shirt, his shoulders were gaining width. Indeed the teen years are setting upon him soon. Although he wore his hair long this was no Diva-boy at all, he is all boy. as I later saw him rough-housing with a long-haired younger brother, indeed they are regulars there and I presume he might be an active youth bowler in his own right.    

I look forward to taking delivery of my purchase and checking how his band progress is going. Hopefully he has not yet met the principal.

Eric