the last day of school.

on the last day of the school year, a little girl who i had been working with came up to me in tears. i asked her what was wrong. “it’s the last day of school, what could possibly be so bad that would leave you in tears?”

“m-mah daddy” she sniffled. “he got arrested last night. now he’s going to jail, an the tossed salad man* gonna get him.”

when she said this last line, i blinked… then laughed hysterically in this poor girl’s face. it’s not because i didn’t appreciate the gravity of her life situation – i agree that her dad’s life is fucked. no, i laughed because the moment she mentioned “tossed salad man,” the following video came to mind:

see?
how could i not laugh at that?  still, i regret my inappropriate laughter, dear quanisha. i wish your dad the best in prison, and sincerely hope that he chooses maple syrup should he ever encounter the tossed salad man. have a great summer!

*peace to the homie john f. for reminding me of this anecdote.