JMan stands with his fourth grade buddies, tall, straight, calm, with his hands in his pockets. I walk up to him and he seems so small. I put a hand on his shoulder and he turns around, delighted to see me. He hugs me, and says “Uppity!”. He wants me to pick him up. I’m a little surprised, but pick him up, over my head. His lean body is strong and stiff in my arms as he holds himself rigid and I think he would actually like to be higher. I think about working on that with him. I’m 6’4″, so I can get him a long ways off the ground. He looks around with a big smile on his face.
I let the kids show me how much affection they want in public. I never demand hugs. I am there if they want a hug though. I put him back down and start to reach into my pocket for a quarter. Friday is popcorn day at school and a bag is a quarter. He holds out his hand and I slap hands with him, leaving a quarter gleaming in the sun on his pale palm.