I took Ray to a Card's game last weekend, and we had a blast! He was so cute; everyone around us got a big kick out of him. His eyesight must be amazing (or mine is just crappy), because he would spot players 40 yards out and scream, "There's Brendan Ryan!!!" or "There's Yaddie!!!". He knows all the players by name, and of course, Pujols is his favorite. We had a great view of the field, on the first base line.
Raymond is a lot like my brother, Steve; he doesn't know a stranger. Whenever I'm around my brother, it always strikes me how social he is. He can and does talk to anyone, anywhere. I was brought up with the "never talk to strangers" rule, and as a result, I have this deep down fear that if I talk to a stranger, something really bad is going to happen. I'm pretty sure they'll jump on me and attack me, or lightening will strike... something. Ray is like Steve, and I like being out with them both, for this reason. And I usually don't get attacked (ok, I never have...), and more often then not, I have a more fun and interesting experience.
And this was the case with the Card's game. Interstate 40/64 is under construction and closed 10 miles out from the city. I had somewhat forgot about that, and as I was re-routed onto a side road, I saw the Metrorail sign. I wondered out loud "Maybe we should just take the train in." Never say that with a six-year-old in the car, unless you really want to ride the train! I parked the car, and there we were... in a St. Louis suburb neighborhood.
Being out of my element doesn't really bother me, but I always want to be safe. In these situations you feel like if someone is looking for a target, well... here I am. But forge ahead. We get our tickets from the automated ticketing system, and go downstairs to the platform. A young girl offers us a seat next to her on the bench, and Ray does his usual "Hi, we're going to a Cardinal game. What are you doing?" Followed by 10 or so other questions, along with information I wouldn't really share with anyone, let alone a stranger. I take a picture of Ray, and she asks if I want her to take our picture. Yes! As she takes it, some boys in the background decide to mess around a bit, and she giggles and tells them to move. She takes the picture, and I jokingly tell the guys in the back that I'd love a pic with them in it. A few of them disappear, which is kind of funny, but two join in:
Our new friends! :)
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